Shabab Al-Ahli of the United Arab Emirates will take on Qatar's Al-Gharafa next week for a place in the group stages of the new Asian Champions League Elite, after securing a 4-1 playoff win in extra-time over Iranian hosts Sepahan in Isfahan on Tuesday.

Yahya Al-Ghassani struck twice in the additional 30 minute period, after Sepahan's Mohammad Mehdi Mohebi had seen his 44th minute over cancelled out by Shabab Al-Ahli's newly signed Iranian striker Sardar Azmoun, 17 minutes into the second half.

Azmoun's close-range effort took the game into extra-time, where Al-Ghassani's double came either side of a goal from Cesar to set up a meeting with Al-Gharafa in Qatar next Tuesday.

The winner of that playoff and one featuring China's Shandong Taishan and Bangkok United from Thailand will advance to the group stages of the relaunched competition, which will feature 12 clubs from west Asia and a further 12 from the east.

The tournament draw will be held in Kuala Lumpur on Aug 16.

  - Reuters