On Tuesday, Esteghlal overcame Qatar’s Al Sadd 4-3 on penalties following a goalless stalemate at the Azadi Stadium.

The two-time Asian Club Championship winner was the better team against 2011 AFC Champions League winner Al Sadd but neither side was able to break the deadlock in 120 minutes of action.

Omid Ebrahimi missed Esteghlal’s second penalty of the shootout but the team flawlessly converted the remaining spot kicks while Ibrahim Majed and Mohamed Kasola failed to hit the target for Al Sadd, allowing substitute Khosro Heidari to slam home the winner and take the Iranians into Group A.

Esteghlal will meet Al Ahli of the United Arab Emirates, Uzbek side Lokomotiv and Saudi Arabia’s Al Taawoun.