Ahwaz: A second half header from Ayoub Vali proved the difference as Iran’s Foolad Khouzestan boosted their hopes of a maiden place in the last 16 of the AFC Champions League with a 1-0 win over Uzbekistan champions Bunyodkor on Tuesday.

Vali headed home with 13 minutes remaining at Ghadir Stadium to secure current Iran Pro League leaders Foolad a second win in Group B and extend their unbeaten record in the AFC Champions League this season.

Foolad, who qualified for only their second AFC Champions League appearance with a fourth place domestic finish last season, are currently three points clear at the top of the Iran Pro League with just two games remaining.

Their only previous AFC Champions League appearance arrived in 2006 after they had won their sole domestic crown the previous season, although Foolad failed to get past the group stage despite beginning the campaign with a -0 thumping of Kuwait’s Al Qadsia.

Two-time semi-finalists Bunyodkor, meanwhile, are in danger of failing to advance past the group stage for the first time after suffering a second defeat of the campaign.

Mirdjalal Kasimov’s side can still qualify despite only picking up two points from four games, although they are now unable to finish above Foolad due to an inferior head-to-head record.