Starting player of Esteghlal FC pose prior to the AFC Champions League group C football match between Qatar's Al Duhail SC and Iran's Esteghlal FC at Abdullah bin Khalifa Stadium in Doha, capital of Qatar, on March 5, 2019. Al Duhail SC won 3-0. (Xinhua/Nikku)

TEHRAN, March 5 (Xinhua) -- Qatar's Al Duhail beat Esteghlal FC from Iran 3-0 in their opening 2019 AFC Champions League Group C tie in Doha on Tuesday.

The homeside turned on the power in the second half and soon took the lead.

Benatia scored the first goal for Al Duhail by a header using Murad Naji's cross in the 56th minute. The Moroccan, Youssef El Arabi, doubled the Qatari side's lead in the 74th minute. The Qatari international midfielder, Ali Afif, sealed victory with the third goal after a counter attack in the added time.

Al Duhail would travel to Saudi Arabia to face Al Hilal in the second round group match, while Esteghlal welcome Al Ain to Tehran next Tuesday.