Sadd Al Shammari and Brazilian striker Araújo scored inside the final 10 minutes as Qatar’s Al Gharafa rallied to beat Al Ahli of Saudi Arabia 3-2 in the AFC Champions League on Tuesday.

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 Gharafa made a winning start to the 2010 Asian Champions League after the Qatar side won 2-1 at Al Jazira in their Group A opener.

Goals from Moroccan Othman Al Assas and Iraq international Younis Mahmoud secured the win for the visitors at Mohammad Bin Zayed Stadium with Rafael Sobis scoring a consolation for Al Jazira.

As the start of the 2010 ACL Champions League approaches, we will begin a preview of each of the groups and give some predictions on what the outcomes might look like 6 rounds from now. Over the next couple of days, we will review each group and the upcoming round giving our tips for the round.
Group A

AL AHLI (KSA) – have had 4 appearances in the ACL Champions League, reaching the final in 1986, quarter finalists in 2004/05 and participating in the group stage of the 2007/08 championship.
ESTEGHLAL …

Pakhtakor coach Viktor Djalilov was a contented man after seeing his side claim an easy 2-0 win over Al Ahli of the United Arab Emirates in their Champions League clash at Pakhtakor Stadium on Wednesday.
The Uzbek side maintained their position at the top of Group A thanks to a Zaynitdin Tadjiyev header in the 38th minute and a strike by substitute Alexander Geynrikh 12 minutes into the second half.
“I’m happy with the win and I think that everyone who was at the stadium tonight enjoyed the game,” said Djalilov after …

Source: www.the-afc.com
Pakhtakor coach Victor Djalilov was pleased with the battling spirit shown by his players as the Uzbek side came from behind to beat Iran’s Saba Battery 2-1 at Pakhtakor Stadium on Wednesday.
Mohammad Nori put the visitors ahead after five minutes but the hosts got back on level terms through Odil Ahmedov’s controversial penalty before Stanislav Andreev took advantage of poor defending to net the winner just after half-time.
The result maintained Pakhtakor’s unbeaten record in the 2009 AFC Champions League, which kept them at the top of Group A with …

Source: www.the-afc.com
Al Hilal coach Georges Leekens lauded his players after the Saudi side all but secured their place in the last 16 of the ACL with a 3-1 win over Al Ahli of the UAE at Al Rashid Stadium on Wednesday. The under-strength home side took a surprise lead in the third minute when Mahmood Qassim lobbed the ball home from near the halfway line after a poor clearance by goalkeeper Mohammad Al Deayea but the visitors hit back in the 21st minute through Tareq El Taib.
Mirel Radoi scored from …