The Dublin-born Libya international Eamon Zayed scored the first three goals for Persepolis as the Iran side overwhelmed Al Shabab 6-1 in their Asain Champions League match at Azadi Stadium in Tehran yesterday.
The UAE club fall to the bottom of Group D with one point from two matches.
Shabab were playing their fifth match in 21 days and, after a 1-0 first half, perhaps the strain showed in a nightmarish final 45 minutes.
Ciel scored a penalty in the 56th minute to make it 3-1, but while pressing to make it even closer Shabab allowed Persepolis to score three easy goals to account for the unflattering final score.
It was a day to forget for the Shabab defensive line, as well as the goalkeeper, Ismail Rabea.
Shabab had been one of the stingiest sides in the UAE, allowing just 16 goals in 15 Pro League matches, the second lowest.
Zayed was the difference early in the match.
He fired home a short shot after a missed clearance in the eighth minute, scored a marvellous back-heeled effort in the 47th and from 15 yards when unmarked in the 53rd.
The son of a Tunisian father and Irish mother, Zayed led the League of Ireland with 23 goals for Derry City last season and played for the Ireland Under 21 team before later declaring for Libya, the home of his grandparents.
He endeared himself to Persepolis fans in December when he scored three late goals to secure a 3-2 victory over Esteghlal in the Tehran derby, considered one of the biggest in Asia.
The defeat was the first suffered by Shabab in nine matches since February 2.
