Sepahan of Iran defeated al-Nasr of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) 3-0 at the 2013 AFC Champions League group stage, Press TV reported on Thursday.

Host Sepahan beat al-Nasr in its Group C opener of the tourney at Fouladshahr Stadium in Isfahan on Wednesday.

Albanian striker Xhevahir Sukaj scored a brace for his team in the 22nd and the 80th minute, and midfielder Omid Ebrahimi gave Sepahan a goal four minutes before the final whistle, according to the report.

After the match, al-Nasr Italian coach Walter Zenga said that Sepahan deserved the victory.

Al-Nasr had also chances in the first half to score goals but his team did not play as he expected, said Zenga.

Sepahan coach Zelatko Kranjar pointed out "We were dominant from the very beginning of the game," adding that his players lost other chances to add to their goals.

In other matches of the same group, Saudi Arabian al-Ahli blanked al-Gharafa of Qatar 2-0 on Wednesday.

Also on the day, in Group D, Iranian football club Esteqlal drew with Qatari al-Rayyan 3-3, and Emirati club al-Ain beat al-Hilal of Saudi Arabia 3-1.