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<p>Qatar’s Al Rayyan advanced to the group stage of this year’s AFC Champions League by winning the play-off against Iran’s Saipa 3-1 on Tuesday.</p><p>A last-minute double-salvo helped Al Rayyan come from behind to win at the Al Sadd Stadium.</p><p>The home crowd was stunned as Saipa took an early lead inside four minutes as Mohammadreza Soleiman nodded the ball on to the path of Arman Ramezani who capitalised on a defensive mix-up to stab home the opener.</p><p>Lucca then nearly found the back of the net, but his header from Rodrigo Tabata’s set-piece cannoned off the crossbar and into the hands of Akbarmonadi.</p><p>New signing Gelmin Rivas marked his continental debut for Al Rayyan with a goal. The Venezuelan received Tabata’s pass inside the box and struck a half-volley. His 27th-minute shot hit the upright on its way into the back of the net.</p><p>Despite sustained pressure from the home side, Ali Daei’s men defended well and relied on counter-attacks and set-pieces as they looked to upset Al Rayyan. </p><p>Samuel Sarfo came close for Saipa with a header nine minutes into the second half and Moein Abbasian was not any luckier, fluffing his lines from close range in the 64th minute.</p><p>The Iranian defence finally broke under the pressure and it was again Tabata’s magical touch that created the opportunity for Al Rayyan. He sent a long ball from a set-piece that was guided expertly by Sebastian Soria’s header to turn the table in favour of the home team with one minute to go. </p><p>Saipa threw men forward as they looked to grab a late equaliser, but spaces opened at the back allowing Al Rayyan to strike again.</p><p>Rivas doubled his tally and confirmed his side’s progress into the group stage after curling in from Koh Myong-Jin’s intelligent pass.</p><p>The 3-1 result meant Al Rayyan join two-time champions Al Ittihad as well as UAE’s Al Wahda and Uzbekistan’s Lokomotiv in Group B.</p>