Esteghlal and Al Jazira shared a point apiece as both sides hit the woodwork in a goalless draw at Azadi Stadium in Wednesday’s AFC Champions League Group A clash.

Al Jazira’s Khalid Sebil crashed a long-range effort against the bar three minutes before the break and Esteghlal’s Fabio Januario did the same from inside the box in first-half stoppage-time as honours ended even with both sides failing to take their chances.

Al Jazira had the first attempt on target after 11 minutes when Subait Khater’s free-kick from 35 yards was punched away by goalkeeper Mohammad Mohammadi.

Moments later, Esteghlal launched a swift counter-attack as Farhad Majidi ran almost the length of the pitch before finding Januario but the Brazilian’s shot deflected wide.

Esteghlal had a great chance to open the scoring five minutes before the break when Siavash Akbarpour’s chipped ball into the box was chested down by Majidi into the path of Kazemi but the midfielder’s fierce strike from 10 yards was straight at Ali Khaseif.

Chances were scarce in the second period but Januario wasted a good opportunity in the 58th minute when, following a neat one-two, he fired over from 10 yards.