<div><img style="" class="img-responsive" src="https://www.qsl.qa/sites/default/files/%D9%85%D9%86%20%D9%85%D8%A8%D8%A…; alt="Alt" title="" /></div>
<p>Qatar’s Al Sadd have a tough task on hand when they face Iran’s Persepolis in their AFC Champions League second-leg semifinal on Tuesday, 23rd October. The match will kick off at the Azadi Stadium in Tehran at 18.00.</p><p>Al Sadd’s task is difficult, but certainly not impossible. The Wolves have to overturn a 0-1 defeat they suffered at home in the first leg. They went down to an Ali Alipour’s late penalty goal.</p><p>The away goal gives Persepolis a slight advantage, but Al Sadd have the experience and players to put it across the rivals and storm into the final.</p><p>Al Sadd, who had emerged as Asian champions in 1989 as well as 2011 and went on to finish third at the Club World Cup in 2011, had ended up runners-up behind Persepolis in Group C this year.</p><p>Al Sadd overcame Saudi Arabia’s Al Ahli and then Iran’s Esteghlal in the knockout rounds.</p><p>Persepolis knocked out Al Jazira in the Round of 16 and claimed a remarkable come-from-behind victory over another Qatari side Al Duhail in the quarterfinals.</p><p>Al Sadd had defeated Persepolis 3-1 when they faced off in Doha in the group stage this year.</p><p>Al Sadd, coached by Portuguese Jesualdo Ferreira, mainly have the services of Xavi Hernandez, Gabi Fernandez, Baghdad Bounedjah, Akram Afif and Hassan Al Haydous.</p><p>The top QNB Stars League side may have the services of defender Ibrahim Majed, who was missing in action since their 1-1 draw with Al Gharafa in Week 3 of this season’s QNB Stars League with a torn muscle. He had been undergoing a rehabilitation programme.</p><p>However, they will miss regular goalkeeper Saad Al Dossari due to suspension.</p><p>Meanwhile, Persepolis are aiming to become the first team from Iran to reach the final since Zobahan in 2010.</p><p>Their captain Jalal Hosseini believes the absence of injured defender Hossein Mahini will make things difficult for them despite the 1-0 lead on aggregate.</p><p>The Iran international full-back suffered a season-ending ACL injury in a league match against city-rivals Esteghlal at the end of last month, forcing Persepolis to put out a makeshift backline in the first leg against Al Sadd in Doha.</p><p>The other semifinal pits Japan’s Kashima Antlers against South Korea’s Suwon Samsung Bluewings.</p>