Al Alhi, Sepahan draw 0-0 in ACL quarters 1st leg

ISFAHAN, Iran (AP) -Saudi Arabian club Al Ahli earned a hard-fought draw at Sepahan of Iran in the first leg of the Asian Champions League quarterfinals on Wednesday.

Al Ahli controlled the pace early, but it was Sepahan striker Mohammed Reza Khalatbari who had the best chances. He struck the crossbar once and fired just over the crossbar inside the first 30 minutes. Moharram Navidkia hit a cross that just missed Khalatbari in the 44th.

In the second half, Al Alhi stepped up its attack and missed several easy chances. Taisir al-Jassim received a ball in the area but his point-blank shot was saved by goalkeeper Reza Mohammadi in the 58th, and a free kick by Colombian striker Jairo Fabian was saved by a diving Mohammadi in stoppage time.