The Japanese club Kashima Antlers have one hand on the 2018 AFC Champions League title after defeating Persepolis 2-0 in Saturday’s final first leg.

Following a goalless first half at the Kashima Soccer Stadium, Leo Silva opened the scoring for the hosts two minutes before the hour mark, before Serginho made it 2-0 12 minutes later to seal a potentially-pivotal victory.

Both teams meet again next Saturday at the Azadi Stadium where the Antlers can expect a hostile atmosphere, although they will take heart in not only being in possession of a two-goal cushion but having not conceded an away goal.

Despite many expecting them to adopt a conservative approach as the away side, Persepolis began the game showing plenty of adventure and created the better openings early on.

However , with the games progressing, it was clear that there is a fundamental difference between the two teams. One playing with as a calm and collected unit following the game plan, while the other playing with emotion and grit needless to say that the juvenile attitude of some players have cost the team. As expected the former. Kashima Antlers won the day, and Persepolis despite the good show especially early in the game, have shot themselves in the foot.

There are lots of lessons to be learned from this match that will serve Team Melli mostly is what to avoid or how not to play like Persepolis in the coming AFC Asian Cup 2019.

The indiscipline of Persepolis players was monumental. Despite his character and reputation, Branko Ivankovic has not been able to control the temper or the attitude of Iranian players, even during his days with Team Melli. Thanks God that there was a certain player by the name of Ali Daei at the time of Branko tenure with Team Melli who did that job in the squad.

Regardless to how good a team plays, the indcipline will render all the efforts useless in case of sending off or suspensions. Persepolis has lost Siamak Nemati for the return leg as he sent off for a second yellow card for unprofessional and highly uncalled for act. Persepolis were lucky not to lose another player, Shojaa Khalizadeh who could have been easily sent off too. The rowdy attitude of players , that is so common in the Persian Gulf League, must not reach Team Melli at any cost

Luckily, with his strong character and disciplinarian attitude, Carlos Queiroz has a good grip on the affairs and will not tolerate transgression or indiscipline. We hope the rest of players have learned from this defeat.