Tianjin Teda became the first team from Group E to qualify for the last 16 of the 2011 AFC Champions League thanks to a 3-0 win over Jeju United at Tianjin Teda Stadium on Wednesday.

Argentinian striker Luciano Olguin headed the hosts in front seven minutes in before Wu Weian doubled the advantage when he tucked home a rebound midway through the first-half.

Cao Yang converted a penalty 19 minutes before the final whistle to seal a comfortable victory for the runners-up of the Chinese Super League, though they were reduced to 10 men in stoppage time when substitute Ma Leilei picked up a second yellow card.

It was the visitors who created the first effort of note when Santos cut into box before shooting wide.

Tianjin went on to dominate their Korean rivals with Chen Tao collected a pass from Zhang Xiaobin before striking a 20-yard drive that deflected off Kang Min-hyuk.

From the resulting corner, Olguin jumped higher than Hong Jung-ho to head Li Benjian’s corner past goalkeeper Kim Ho-jun.

The hosts made the most of another dead ball situation to extend the lead when Li Weifeng met Li Benjian’s corner and although Kim managed to parry his header, the ball fall at the feet of Wu who tapped in the rebound.

Santos spurned two good opportunities for Jeju after the break, coming close to a goal 10 minutes into the second-half with a superb volley that was palmed out by keeper Yang Qipeng before heading Bae Ki-jong’s inviting cross over the bar two minutes later.

Olguin came close to claiming his second goal of the game four minutes after the hour mark with a powerful header that flew over the bar.

Chen then earned a penalty for the hosts when, with just the Jeju keeper to beat, he rounded Kim but was brought down in the box. Cao made no mistake in firing the spot kick into the back of the net.

Jeju tried to launch a late onslaught but failed to create any real attacking threat. Substitute Ma was then sent-off in stoppage time when he received a second yellow card for a reckless tackle on Lee Sang-hyup.

Melbourne scored first through Adrian Leijer on 12 minutes but Sota Nakazawa, with his second goal of the campaign, leveled things just before half time.

Tellingly, both goals came from defenders as the result of corners in a match where both sides’ attackers wasted plenty of chances.

Melbourne began the match playing much of the attacking football and Carlos Hernandez provided the first threat, flashing a free kick past the goal in the third minute.

The Costa Rican continued to provide much of Melbourne’s impetus and he was involved heavily in the build-up to the first goal.

His 12th-minute free kick was turned away by keeper Yosuke Fujigaya setting up a corner which he took with aplomb.

His pin-point cross picked out Leijer, who rose well to head home and give the home side a deserved lead.

Soon after, Melbourne had a decent penalty shout turned down when Akira Kaji looked to have handled the ball under pressure from Isaka Cernak.

Shocked by the early barrage for the home side, Gamba were stung into action and only Leigh Broxham’s goal-line clearance prevented Takashi Usami from equalising with a cracking shot on 18 minutes.

From that point on the victors dominated for the rest of the half, controlling possession, creating plenty of corners but not conjuring quality chances.

Eventually the opportunity came on 43 minutes, when with their seventh corner, the ball was not cleared by the Victory defence.

Satoshi’s Yamaguchi’s shot hit the woodwork, but Nazakawa was quickest to react and turned the rebound into the net.

Melbourne regrouped early in the second half and inside the first 15 minutes had four good chances to re-establish their lead.

Skipper Muscat headed over, Danny Allsopp failed to connect to Cernak’s cross, Hernandez shot straight at Fujigaya before Archie Thompson’s shot was blocked by Nazakawa’s lunge.

Yasuhito Endo tested Tando Velaphi’s reflexes as Osaka looked to build their credentials for the three points, but that was a rare foray forward for the visitors.

Melbourne pushed hard for the winner, in Cernak’s case too hard as he was booked for simulation in the box.

It was one of many incisions into the attacking zone Melbourne made late in the match, but the only one to force a save was a scything shot from Hernandez which was brilliantly knocked away by Fujigaya.

Melbourne Victory 1 (Leijer 12′)
Gamba Osaka 1 (Nazakawa 43′)
Crowd: 7,437 at Etihad Stadium

Brazilian forward Adriano scored twice to highlight Gamba Osaka’s 3-1 win over Jeju United, helping the J.League side climb to second in Group E of the 2011 AFC Champions League at Expo ’70 Stadium in Osaka.

Adriano struck in the 26th and 48th minutes and although Jeju replied through Shin Yong-rok in the 67th minute, Gamba substitute Takuya Takei blasted home in the 88th minute.

Gamba tried to break down the Jeju backline with some slick passing and Lee connected with a Kim Seung-yong cross in the box in the 24th minute but the effort was saved by Kim Ho-jun.

The north Osaka team then took the upper hand in the 26th minute thanks to Adriano’s individual effort. The Brazilian collected a pass from the center of the park and brought the ball forward before shooting from the edge of the box. His effort was not all that powerful but hit the inside of the post on its way into the net.

Gamba improved their lot early in the second-half with their second goal. Japan midfielder Yasuhito Endo delivered a pin-point ball to Adriano and the Brazilian forward beat his marker, cut into the box and fired home with his right foot in the 48th minute.

The visitors pulled a goal back, however, when Shin slotted home from inside the box with 23 minutes left on the clock.

Gamba then secured the game in the 88th minute with a third goal. Sasaki forged down the right and fed Lee Keun-ho. The Korean forward laid the ball off to Takei, who blasted home to wrap up the win.

Melbourne Victory resuscitated their 2011 AFC Champions League dreams with a 2-1 win over Group E leaders Tianjin Teda at Docklands Stadium.

The home side scored two goals in three minutes on the stroke of half-time to secure their first win in this season’s competition and provide interim coach Mehmet Durakovic his maiden success in charge, although Surat Sukha was sent-off with eight minutes to go.

It was a result Durakovic will look back on fondly after Victory trailed 1-0 following Chen Tao’s fantastic solo effort for the Chinese visitors after 37 minutes.

Just seven minutes later Victory dragged themselves back into the contest through Carlos Hernandez as the Costa Rican’s hopeful 35-yard free kick attempt turned into something more substantial when it evaded Tianjin goalkeeper Zhao Yanming and ended up in the net.

But much of the credit must go to Victory captain Adrian Leijer, whose run caused the Chinese stopper to hesitate at the crucial moment.

Less than 120 seconds later, Victory were in front after Kevin Muscat slotted home from the penalty spot for his third goal of the campaign.

Muscat was presented with the chance when the lively Robbie Kruse was blocked by visiting captain Cao Yang inside the box following Archie Thompson’s through ball.

It was redemption for Muscat, who was the guilty offender in the build-up to Tianjin Teda’s goal.

The experienced defender was dispossessed by Chen, who went on a mazy run before unleashing a shot past a despairing Tando Velaphi in the Victory goal.

While the second-half did not produce any goals, there was no shortage of entertainment.

Isaka Cernak spurned Victory’s best chance to kill off the Chinese visitors just four minutes into the second period.

Cernak was played in by a lovely Kruse cross but somehow blazed his shot over the top of an empty net when it seemed easier to score.

Tianjin had the better of the second-half opportunities, particularly late on as they enjoyed a man advantage following Surat’s 82nd minute dismissal for a second bookable offence.

But a combination of a resolute Victory defence and profligacy from Tianjin in attack meant Velaphi was only called onto make one quality save.

In all, nine yellow cards and the red for Surat were a reflection on how tensions flared throughout the 90 minutes.

There was further bad news for Melbourne when Australia international Kruse was stretchered off in the dying moments with a suspected knee injury.

While they remain bottom of Group E with four points, Victory trail leaders Tianjin by three points following Gamba Osaka’s win over Jeju United.

Tianjin Teda 1-1 Melbourne Victory
Tianjin Teda earned a 1 – 1 draw with Melbourne Victory to maintain top spot in Group E of the 2011 AFC Champions League.

Victory came close to a first goal just two minutes in when Adrian Leijer was just inches away from tapping home. Yu Dabao looked to reply three minutes later, only to see his fierce 30-yard shot fly over the crossbar.

In the 11th minute, Chen back-heeled to Wu Weian down the left and the latter clipped an inviting centre across the face of the goal, only to see an unmarked Yu volley over.

But Tianjin then went ahead eight minutes later. Li Weifeng headed Li Benjian’s corner straight at team-mate Yu but Zoric reacted quickly to head the rebound goalwards. Keeper Tando Velaphi parried the ball out only to see the Serbian nod it past him at the second attempt.

Zhang Xiaobin almost doubled the lead for the hosts six minutes before half-time, collecting Wu’s long cross before pulling the trigger from 15 yards with a powerful drive that hit the bar. Luciano Olguin steered the rebound over the frame of the goal.

The visitors then made the most of a corner kick 10 minutes into the second-half when Muscat leapt higher than Zoric to head Carlos Hernandez’ corner past keeper Yang Qipeng at the near post.

Melbourne continued to attack with Marco Rojas springing Tianjin’s offside trap. Rojas sidestepped Yang in the penalty area but Archie Thompson took over and unleashed a close-range shot that was intercepted by Li Weifang in front of the goalline.

Obiora Odita wasted a good chance to restore the lead for the hosts midway through the second-half, collecting a loose ball on the edge of the box before curling a left-footed attempt wide off the right post.

Zoric was then sent off a quarter of an hour before the final whistle for a reckless challenge on Hernandez.

The visitors were on top for the remainder of the game, hassling the Tianjin defenders but unable to find a way through their opponents’ rearguard.

Jeju United 2-1 Gamba Osaka
Jeju United won 2 – 1 against Gamba Osaka in their Group E clash of the 2011 AFC Champions League.

The Japanese team took the lead in the 22nd minute in simple fashion. A right-sided Endo corner was headed home from close range by Nakazawa, who was not picked up by the home defenders.

Three minutes later, Gamba came so close to extending the lead. Lee broke free, rounded the goalkeeper only to see his shot blocked by a desperate lunge from a Jeju defender. The loose ball fell to Adriano, who ballooned the ball over the bar with the goal at his mercy.

Just before the break, the Brazilian had another great chance to put Gamba further ahead. With the Jeju defenders appealing for offside, Adriano burst into the left side of the area to find himself with just the goalkeeper to beat but Kim blocked the initial shot and then also saved the follow-up shot from Tomokazu Myojin.

Jeju regrouped after the restart and somehow failed to equalise two minutes into the second-half. Santos wriggled free on the right side of the area and his low shot bounced back off the foot of Gamba’s left-hand post into the path of Park Hyun-beom. With the goal at his mercy, the midfielder’s shot was deflected over the bar for a corner.

The Korea Republic team had their tails up and were level on 53 minutes. Santos freed Park on the left and his first time low ball into the box was slotted home by a sliding Shin at the near post.

Park was also involved in the goal that put Jeju ahead 11 minutes later. His long ball from the middle of the pitch was latched onto by Bae. The former Suwon star was forced to the left by goalkeeper Yosuke Fujigaya but still managed to squeeze his shot into the net from a tight angle.

Tianjin Teda 2-1 Gamba Osaka
Tianjin Teda are now leaders of Group E with a narrow 2 – 1 victory over  Gamba Osaka.

Tianjin proved the more dangerous side from the outset as their attacking line caused problems for the Gamba defence.

Li Weifeng asked the first question of Yosuke Fujigaya after two minutes, heading Chen’s corner straight at the goalkeeper.

The visitors looked for an immediate reply with Takashi Usami’s long-range effort two minutes later deflecting off a Tianjin defender.

Luciano Olguin had the ball in the net for Tianjin after 22 minutes but the Argentine striker had strayed offside before firing past Fujigaya.

Just two minutes later, the hosts opened the scoring when Chen played a one-two with Olguin before curling home from 30 yards.

Brazilian forward Adriano then delivered a well-weighted cross into the path of Lee who made no mistake in driving the ball beyond keeper Yang Qipeng from 15 yards as Gamba leveled the match in the 30th minute.

Adriano’s solo run fifteen minutes later looked dangerous and it ended with the striker driving into the penalty area to stab a left-footed shot that was palmed away by Yang.

Just after half time, Chen’s shot hit a Gamba defender but the midfielder collected the rebound and fired a second attempt that flew just wide.

One minute later, Chen was brought down in the box by Takagi in full flight and the referee awarded the hosts a penalty that Cao calmly steered past Fujigaya.

Gamba stepped up their attacking intent for the remainder of the game while Tianjin appeared more defence-minded to protect their slender lead.

Lee posed a threat to Tianjin goal seven minutes from time only to see his header fly wide. Yang then made two superb saves just before the final whistle to ensure the hosts kept all three points.

Melbourne Victory has lost its second ACL clash in a row and now faces a very difficult task to progress into the knockout rounds of the tournament. Korea’s Jeju United where by far the better team on the night winning 2-1.

Victory was outclassed again under caretaker Mehmet Durakovic, leaving little hope of reaching the ACL knockout stages for the first time in three attempts.

Aside from one early botched half-chance to Melbourne striker Danny Allsopp, the visitor dominated the first 30 minutes.

Victory was lucky that Jeju had several near-misses among its frequent, early attacking moves.

The most fortunate escape came in the 20th minute, when a Jeju goal-bound shot ricocheted off the shoulder of Melbourne’s Marvin Angulo, on the line.

It appeared a matter of time until Jeju scored, but instead Allsopp capitalised first from a rare Victory chance.

It was beautifully-constructed, starting with a clever intercept by captain Adrian Leijer. He passed to Tom Pondeljak, who threaded it to Archie Thompson in the box, the striker laying off to fellow frontman Allsopp, who sidestepped the defence, then netted a left-footer.

Victory’s lead lasted just four minutes, before its customary vulnerability at set pieces surfaced – a failed corner clearance allowing Jeju’s Park Hyunbem a simple finish.

The second half started like the first, with goalkeeper Michael Petkovic kept busy. The veteran had enough tentative moments for the small crowd of 4,825 to cheer at one point when he took a ball cleanly.

Still, Melbourne almost regained the lead after a clever through-ball from substitute Carlos Hernandez found Thompson one-out with the keeper, but the star striker’s 61st-minute shot rolled wide.

Eventually Jeju’s attack capitalised on its control, Lee Hyunho receiving a cross between veteran Victory defenders Kevin Muscat and Matthew Kemp in the 84th minute, to seal the win which left Melbourne last in its group.

Tianjin Teda 1-0 Jeju United
A second half strike by Yu Dabao’s was the clincher in a very tight contest between Tianjin Teda and Jeju United.

Jeju United from Korea Republic made their debut appearance and looked to dominate the game but were caught out by a classic counter-attack on the 55 minute mark by Tianjin Teda.

Jeju came close to the opener in the 16th minute when a chipped ball over the defence found Kim Eun-jung unmarked in the penalty box. Eun-jung volleyed the ball over with just the goalkeeper to beat.

Teda’s Yu went close in the seven minutes before the break. The powerful forward burst into the right side of the penalty area only to see his shot skid just wide of Kim Ho-jun’s right-hand post.

A minute later, Jeju’s Kim Eun-jung had his back to goal inside the Tianjin area and fed Santos but his shot was parried away for a corner by Yang Qipeng.

Yu was Tianjin’s liveliest player and opened the scoring in the 55th minute. Zhang Xhaobin broke free down the right and curled an inviting cross towards the near post. Jeju’s goalkeeper failed to intercept leaving Yu to hook the ball in from close range. Jeju tried to find a way back into the match but struggled to create any clear chances in the face of a well-organised Tianjin defence.

Gamba Osaka 5-1 Melbourne Victory
Gamba Osaka have come out firing in matchday 1 with a 5 – 1 thrashing of Melbourne Victory.

Gamba were unstoppable from the first whistle with 3 unanswered goals within the first 3 minutes.

Takuya Takei inflicted the first blow from the top of the box in the fourth minute, after star Japan international Yasuhito Endo’s corner was headed away.

Three minutes later, Muscat gave away a penalty, which was coolly slotted home by Gamba’s newly-signed Brazilian striker Adriano.

Then home side’s Lee Keun-Ho, who had earned the penalty, scored himself in the 11th minute, set up by an excellent Adriano cross.

Victory began to show signs of creating a contest late in the first half. Thompson earned a penalty in the 22 minute, which was put away by Muscat. Whilst Melbourne’s Allsopp, Kruse and Thompson began to cause some trouble, while a slightly more defensive formation, after a 15th minute substitution, also helped.

With a touch more luck, Victory could have been within striking distance at the break. An Allsopp shot caught the wrong side of the left post, after a nice turn set-up from Thompson, in the 36th minute.

Minutes later, a Rodrigo Vargas headed goal was disallowed, when he was ruled off-side.

Gamba showed its class in the second half, making it 4 – 1 and beyond Victory’s reach, when Adriano set up Takahiro Futagawa, before substitute Kim Seung Yong made it 5 – 1 with a header  in stoppage-time.

Victory coach Ernie Merrick said there were no excuses for his side’s performance and nothing positive to take from the match, with the game effectively over after Gamba’s opening salvo.

“We were just a bit overwhelmed at the start, they came out all guns blazing, we took a backward step and they just buzzed around and took their chances when they came,” Merrick said.

“But to concede a goal that early from a corner kick and just behind it a penalty kick, that is just soul-destroying.”

Today we move on to Group E and the East of the AFC Asian Champions League 2011.

Group E is made up of the following teams:

• Gamba Osaka (Jap)
• Jeju United (Kor)
• Melbourne Victory (Aus)
• Tianjin Teda (Chn)

Gamba Osaka
A favourite as always to progress into the knockout stages of the tournament. Gamba are a regular in the ACL Champions League. 2011 Division 1 season is yet to start (due 5/3) and so teams will have been in preseason and playing practice games coming into the group stages of the ACL Champions League. Match fitness might be an issue for some of the players. Gamba had a very successful 2010, achieving 2nd position. In 2010 ACL they were knockout by eventual winners Seongnam in the first knockout round. This is however a very tough group but you would expect Gamba to be a serious contender for 1st place n Group E.

Jeju United
Jeju have been in pre-season so no up to date performance information to work with. Jeju placed 2nd last year with only 3 points behind FC Seoul. Seventeen wins, eight draws and three loses saw them enter the ACL this season. Sitting 3rd at the moment in the Zain Saudi Professional League with 9 wins, 4 draws and 3 loses. Jeju didn’t compete in the 2010 season so we can’t draw on this as a predictor for this year. Given the overall performance of K League teams in this tournament and last year’s form, Jeju will be a force to reckon with this year.

Melbourne Victory
Melbourne had a great 2010 and are finishing 2011 with an appearance in the finals (playing tonight’s knockout round). With the season ending shortly in Australia, Melbourne will be weary but fit for the ACL tournament, this their 3rd attempt to progress past the Group stage. They have always had a strong team, but not enough scoring ability in this tournament to win the games they need to at home. Maybe 2011 will be different, experience will assist but this is not an easy group. Aiming for 2nd place will be the plan.

Tianjin Teda
Chinese Super League is also in off season but due to start shortly. Tianjin managed second in 2010 with 13 wins,11 draws and 6 loses. No 2010 ACL experience doesn’t give us much to work with in 2011 but Tianjin had a very strong domestic result last year and will be building for 2011 with a hope of making a real go of their ACL opportunity. This is a tough group with Gamba the only success story of the 4 teams. Jeju, Melbourne and Tianjin all have a great opportunity to fight for 2nd place.

Chinese champions Beijing Guoan progressed into the second round thanks to 2-0 victory over Kawasaki Frontale. With Korea’s Seongnam Ilhwa already winning the group, Fontale had set up a winner-takes-all clash against Guoan.

Beijing Guoan 2-0 Kawasaki Frontale

Frontale needed a win to make it into the 2nd round of the ACL for the 3rd successive year. Goals either side of halt-time from Joel Griffiths and Valdo ensured the Japanese would make an early exit.

Griffith’s goal was created following a defensive error by Yusuke Tasaka. The Australian showed a cool head inside the box before firing his shot across Eiji Kawashima in the Frontale goal to set the hosts on their way. Valdo made it 2 – 0 and sent Guoan into the knockout stage. Valdo met Yan Xiangchuang’s through ball, rounded Eiji and tapped the ball into the empty net. Guoan will face Group G winners Suwon Bluewings in the knockout stage.

Seongnam Ilhwa 3–2 Melbourne Victory

An goal in the final 10 minutes sealed it for Seongnam against Melbourne Victory to set up a second round clash with Gamba Osaka.

Cheon Kwang-jin scored the opening goal in the 27th minute when he side-footed Namkung Do’s centre beyond Mitchell Langerak in the Victory goal. Victory equalised when Dugandzic met a Carlos Hernandez’s pass to fire home the equaliser. With 20 minutes remaining Seongnam’s standout performer Namkung Do put them back into the lead. Victory responded immediately with Tom Pondeljak grabbing a Victory equaliser five minutes later. Cho sealed victory for Seongnam with just over five minutes remaining, racing clear before chipping the ball over Langerak.

“We could see why Seongnam have won the group,” said Victory coach Ernie Merrick. “They moved the ball around very quickly in the middle and make lots of goal-scoring opportunities.”

Group E

Kawasaki Frontale 3-0 Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma

Kawasaki Frontale have given themselves a great chance of advancing by beating Seongnam 3 – 0 at home. They now travel to Beijing Gouan on the final matchday only one point behind the Chinese Super League team, with the winner progressing alongside Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma.

Frontale were two goals ahead by the 20 minute mark. Hiroyuki Taniguchi opened the scoring after five minutes and Yusuke Tasaka doubled the lead 15 minutes after. It remained 2 – 0 until the 79th minute when Renatinho scored the third.

Melbourne Victory 0-0 Beijing Gouan

Melbourne earned their first draw and fourth point of the group stage. The 1 point however, wasn’t enough to keep them in contention. Beijing missed the chance to go three points clear of Kawasaki and instead face the Japanese in a winner takes all shootout on matchday 6.

Group F

Changchun Yatai 0-1 Kashima Antlers

Kashima scored in the first half through Shinzo Koroki to see off Changchun Yatai on matchday five in the AFC Champions League. Shinzo pounced upon a Samuel Caballero error in the 37th minute to put it past the goalkeeper.

Kashima have an unbeaten record so far in the competition and will be a great match-up in the round of 16 where they will either face Pohang Steelers or Adelaide United.

Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors 8-0 Persipura Jayapura

Persipura Jayaspura received another hiding in Match Day 5. The Indonesian minnows were hammered 8-0 by K-League outfit, Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors.

Eninho, Park Won Jae and a Lee Dong Gook penalty put the hosts well in the clear by half time. Eninho and Jung Jin Seo added the fourth and fifth goals just after half-time before 3 goals in the space of 10 minutes made it eight.

Jeonbuk are set to face the winners of Group H in the last 16 should they fail to claim all three points at Kashima on matchday 6. Persipura remain pointless with a goal difference they surely can’t be proud of.

Group A
AFC Asian Champions League Group A was settled today, with Esteghlal securing their qualification with a home win over Al Ahli while a hat-trick from Brazilian Araujo meant that Al Gharafa now also progress.

Esteghlal 2–1 Al Ahli

Esteghlal booked their spot in the round of 16 thanks to a 2-1 victory over Al Ahli of Saudi Arabia at the Azadi Stadium in Tehran.

Mehdi Salehi put the hosts ahead after 25 minutes, shooting past Yasser Al Mosailem in the Al Ahli goal. Brazilian Victor Simoes equalised from the penalty spot ten minutes later before Amirhossein Saghedi headed Esteghlal into the final 16 right on half-time.

Al Gharafa 4-2 Al-Jazira

Former Cruzeiro striker Araujo has been a revelation since joining the Cheetahs in 2007 and he was the hero again this evening, striking a hat-trick to sink UAE League outfit Al-Jazira and sending Al Gharafa into the knockout stages.

The Brazilian headed his first on 11 minutes, leaping to nod home a Juninho cross, and then doubled the lead five minutes before the break. Any hope Al-Jazira had of a comeback were quickly quashed when the Brazilian hitman completed his hat-trick a minute after the break, latching onto a mistake from Jazira goalkeeper Ali Kashief Housani. By the time Otman El Assas made it four shortly after the hour mark, the game was already up. Former Betis striker Rafael Sobis pulled one back for the visitors before Ali Albloushi grabbed a second consolation in the final minute.

Group B
Hassan Amin’s scored the only goal of the game in the 71st minute to give Al Wahda an unexpected win over group leaders Zobahan.

Al Wahda 1-0 Zobahan

Al Wahda hasn’ had a good tournament so far sitting last in Group B. Iran’s Zobahan, meanwhile, have been one of the stand-out performers of this season’s competition, having achieved an unexpected double over Luiz Felipe Scolari’s Bunyodkor.

The hosts made a thrilling start to the game and should have had the game won at half-time. They finally scored in the 71st minute thanks to a fine solo effort from Amin to clinch a bit of pride for the 2007 semi-finalists.

Al-Ittihad 1–1 Bunyodkor

Bunyodkor were hoping for an improved performance this week after 2 straight defeats. Scolari knew defeat would all but eliminate them. The hosts went ahead through a 37th minute penalty, however, Aziz Haydarov’s equaliser just after the hour was enough to clinch a point and save the day. All will now be decided on matchday six when Bunyodkor host Al Wahda and Al-Ittihad travel to Iran to face Zobahan.

With all games in Match Day 4 of the AFC Champions League completed, two more teams have confirming their places in the Round of 16.

Seongnam Ilhwa made it four in a row in Group E to go through while Suwon Bluewings made sure of their advance in Group G.

Group A

Esteghlal, of Iran, drew 1-1 away to Qatar’s Al Gharafa and Saudi Arabia’s Al Ahli scored a 2-0 away win over Al Jazira.

Younis Mahmoud gave Gharafa a 1-0 lead before the interval but Mehdi Salehi equalised for the visitors on 58 minutes.

Brazilian striker Victor was the hero for Ahli. He scored a goal in each half with Jazira down to 10 men following the second-half sending off of midfielder Sultan Al Menhali.

Group C

Sepahan have put themselves back into contention for a round of 16 place after their 2-0 home victory over Pakhtakor while Shabab beat Al Ain 3-2 at home.

Ibrahima Toure and Mohsen Bengar scoring within the last 17 minutes to earn victory for Sepahan.

Brazilian midfielder Marcelo Camacho rounded off a stirring comeback by Shabab with his late winner against Al Ain. Flavio gave Shabab the lead after 11 minutes before Jose Sand and an own goal from defender Masead Nada handed the visitors the lead on 60 minutes.

Camacho then set up Flavio for the equaliser before finishing it off himself with seven minutes remaining.

Group E

Korea Republic’s Seongnam have earned a place in the next round after their 1-0 away victory over China’s Beijing Guoan.

Melbourne Victory won for the first time after three straight defeats, beating Japan’s Kawasaki Frontale 1-0 at home.

Mauricio Molina scored with 15 minutes remaining for Seongnam. Whilst in the other game Kevin Muscat scored a penalty to breath some life into Melbourne’s campaign.

Group G

Suwon Bluewings have also progressed into the last 16 with a 2-0 home victory over China’s Henan Jianye.

Gamba Osaka beat Singapore Armed Forces 3-0 at home to boost their chances.

Jose Mota followed up his two goals against Henan from last week with an early strike on Wednesday with Kim Dae-ui adding the second.

Goals from defender Michihiro Yasuda, Shoki Hirai, and substitute Ze Carlos gave Gamba an easy win.

Melbourne Victory skipper Kevin Muscat has come to the rescue of Melbourne Victory by scoring a 60th minute penalty to restore some respectability to his side’s Asian Champions League campaign in a 1-0 win over Kawasaki Frontale.

On the same ground he missed a spot-kick in Victory’s A-League grand final penalty shootout loss to Sydney FC 10 days earlier, Muscat slotted home Victory’s second-half winner against the Japanese side at Etihad Stadium.

Victory goalkeeper Mitch Langerak was outstanding for his side – pulling off four vital saves to deny the wasteful visitors.

They included a reflex save from a deflected shot in the dying seconds to maintain his side’s lead.

The match turned on a 60th minute decision by Iranian referee Saeid Mozaffari Zadeh to award a dubious penalty to Melbourne.

Striker Robbie Kruse went to ground under a light challenge from Kawasaki defender Takanobu Komiyama, which replays showed was well outside the area regardless of the level of contact.

But Muscat stepped up and put away the penalty, easing a little of the disappointment from his rare miss in the grand final.

Victory will need all other results in the ACL to go its way to have any hope of making the top two and advancing to the second stage of the competition.

Group A
Esteghlal 3-0 Al Gharafa
Al Ahli 5-1 Al-Jazira

Al Gharafa couldn’t compete with Esteghlal today and went down 3-0 in the Azadi Stadium today. Esteghlal striker Farhad Majidi bagged himself two goals today. Majidi put the hosts ahead after a quarter of an hour before doubling their lead ten minutes after the break. Defender Pejman Montazeri then sealed the victory ten minutes from time.

In Group A’s other fixture, Al-Ahli, who so far have leaked five goals in their first two matches, turned things around against Al Jazira scoring 5 goals and winning 5-1. Ahli took the lead withing 2 minutes of the kick-off through Brazilian striker Victor Simoes and never looked back. Abdulrahim Jezawi scored two goals and the Saudi’s other Brazilian Marcinho also bagged a brace while Ivory Coast striker Toni Nantcho grabbed a consolation for Al-Jazira.

Group B
Zob Ahan 3 – 0 Bunyodkor
Al Wahda 0 – 2 Al Ittihad

Iranian side Zob Ahan stood out after their stunning 3-0 victory over Uzbek glamour side Bunyodkor.  The victory puts them on top of Group B. Two of Zob Ahan’s goals were stand-out with Mohammed Hosseini firing the hosts ahead before Mohammad Ghazi made it 2-0. Mohammad Khalatbari hit the last goal 10 minutes from time.

Former two-time champions and last year’s runners-up Al Ittihad of Saudi Arabia picked up their first full points in this year’s competition with a 2-0 defeat of UAE’s Al Wahda.

The Jeddah giants were sitting with a loss and a draw so far in the competition, but goals from Abdulmalik Ziaya and Mohamed Nour helped them to their first win.

Group C
Pakhtakor Tashkent 2–1 Sepahan
Al-Ain 2-1 Al Shabab

An Alexander Geynrikh free kick gave Pakhtakor a deserved win over Iranian champions Sepahan and first place in Group Ch. Artur Geykorian’s low shot put the hosts in front five minutes before the break, only for Ahmad Jamshidian to head in an equaliser in first-half injury time. However, with 20 minutes remaining, Geynrikh swung in a free kick that beat several players before hitting the back of the net. Sepahan have had two draws and a defeat so far, making it difficult for them to progress past this stage.

Al Shabab came into their clash with Al-Ain with a number first team players unavailable and Jaime Pacheco’s side found themselves two down after 25 minutes. Former Flamengo striker Emerson but the hosts on their way 15 minutes in before Argentinian forward Jose Sand doubled their lead ten minutes later. Abdulaziz Bin Saran pulled a goal back for the White Lions but it wasn’t enough to save the 2006 quarter-finalists.

Group D
Al Sadd 4 – 1 Mes Kerman
Al Hilal 1 – 1 Al Ahli

Qatari giants Al Sadd showed Mes Kerman who’s the boss by beating them 4 – 1 whipping at the Sheikh Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium in Doha.

Strikes by in-form Brazilian Leandro, who neutralised Mes’ lead through Edinho, before adding another, this was followed by goals from Felipe Jorge and Talal Al Baloushi.

The contest was well over within the hour and Al Sadd are now a point removed from section leaders Al Hilal of Saudi Arabia to whom they lost in their opening match. Mes are stranded on three points.

The other group game between Al Hilal and Al Ahli ended in 1-1 draw. Al Hilal’s form has been such that they were tipped to destroy the visiting side by a huge margin.  But the Saudi champions from Riyadh wasted many opportunities even as Mohamed Al Mahyani put them ahead only for the lead to be cancelled by Hosni Abd Rabou’s stoppage-time heartbreaker.

Al Ahli goalkeeper Abdulla Yousif stood firm and guarded his net against numerous Al Hilal assaults and saw his heavily favoured rivals find the woodwork twice before half-time.

Group E

Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma 3-1 Beijing Guoan
Kawasaki Frontale 4-0 Melbourne Victory

Korean side Seongnam Ilhwa Chunwa recovered from a goal down at home to Chinese Super League outfit Beijing Guoan to eventually win 3-1 victory in the closing stages of the game. Maurice Ross gave Beijing an early lead but the hosts drew level through Song Ho-Young. Seongnam went ahead just three minutes from time through the Montenegro midfielder, Dzenan Radoncic, before Jo Jae-Chol wrapped up the points in injury time.

Kawasaki Frontale thrashed an uninspiring Melbourne Victory 4 – 0. After losses to Seongnam and Beijing, Kawasaki needed victory at home to the Australians and three goals within 20 minutes all but ended the game in the fist half.

Chong Tese, the North Korea international, struck three minutes in and the lead was doubled by Masaru Kurotsu eight minutes later. The former Santos player Renantinho made it three and game over just after the 20 minute mark.

Then on the 90th minute when captain Hiroyuki Taniguchi hit the fourth.

Group F
Changchun Yatai 1-2 Jeonbuk Motors
Kashima Antlers 5-0 Persipura

Lee Dong-gook broke Chinese hearts in the northern city of Changchun on Wednesday with a late winner that gives the South Korean champions a huge boost in their bid to reach the second round.

The hosts started well and controlled the first half. After 65 minutes substitute Du Zhenyu scored to put the hosts ahead. The game wasn’t over however, with 12 minutes remaining, Choi Yae-wook equalized from close range.  Heading for a draw, Lee bagged a priceless winner after good work from Seo Jung-jin.

As expected, the Japanese champions Kashima Antlers, beat group whipping boys Persipura 5-0 at the Kashima Soccer Stadium.

After last round’s 9-0 thrashing in China, the result is an improvement of sorts for the Indonesians. Two goals from Brazil’s Marquinhos and solitary strikes from Toru Araiba, Mitsuo Ogasawara and Yuya Osaka won the game for the J-League titans.

Group G
Singapore Armed Forces 2-4 Gamba Osaka
Henan Construction 0-2 Suwon Samsung Bluewings

Gamba Osaka were given a stern test against a determined Singapore Armed Forces but managed to win comfortably in the end 4-2. Shoki Hirai gave Osaka the lead within six minutes from the first whistle but Erwan Gunawan got the hosts level just after the half hour. After Hirai re-established a one-goal advantage after half-time, Singapore managed to peg the visitors back again, through the Sweden international Niklas Sandberg. However, Sota Nakazawa made it 3-2 with 19 minutes left on the clock before Hirai completed his treble with seven minutes to play. The result marked Gamba’s first win this year following two draws and they move onto five points. SAFFC stay bottom with just one point.

In the second Group G game, Brazilian Jose Mota scored twice as Suwon Samsung Bluewings overcame China’s Henan. The 30-year-old hit a second half double to put the K-League side back on top of the table. After three matches, Suwon sit on top with a two-point lead. Henan, with two draws and a loss, are only one point off the bottom.

Group H
Pohang Steelers 1-0 Shandong Luneng
Adelaide United 3-2 Sanfrecce Hiroshima

Pohand Steelers squeezed past Shandong with a 1-0 win at the Steelyard. Most of the action came at the beginning and at the end of the match. After just five minutes, Noh Byung-joon smashed a free-kick high into the Chinese net.

Then with five minutes to go, Shandong were awarded a penalty after Kim Jung-kyum brought down Benson in the box. Shin Hwa-yong made a brilliant save to deny Deng Zhouxiang’s penalty and move Pohang clear in second place.

Adelaide United came from behind to defeat Sanfrecce Hiroshima to maintain their three from three perfect record in Group H and keep the Japanese team pointless. Hiroshima bounced back after going down early to a Travis Dodd goal and a red card for defender Ilian Stoyanov to equalize and then take the lead in the second half thanks to Kazuyaki Morisaki and Issei Takayanagi. Adelaide however hit back with two late goals from Robert Cornthwaite and Cassio which won them the game and gave them three points to keep them on top of the group.

Kawasaki scored three goals in 20 minutes to convincingly beat Melbourne Victory 4-0 for their first Group E win in the Asian Champions League.

The three goals were scored by Jong Tae-se, Masaru Kurotsu and Renatinho scored in the 3rd, 11th minute and 22nd minutes respectively, while Hiroyuki Taniguchi finished off Melbourne with a goal on the stroke of full time (90′).

Both Kawasaki and Melbourne were desperate for a win having lost their previous two matches. Kawasaki started the better of the 2 teams and were rewareded for their attacking intent after just three minutes.

Renatinho got the ball on the right and dribbled down the line before delivering a cross for Jong and the DPR Korea striker made no mistake after darting into the area to slot home.

Kawasaki, who reached the quarter-finals in the 2007 and 2009, continued to press and Yusuke Tasaka fired just wide from a Masaru Kurotsu pass in the ninth minute but two minutes later Kurotsu headed home from a Tasaka free-kick to put his side in control.

The visitors were struggling to cope with their opponents and it was no surprise when Kawasaki added a third in the 22nd minute when the unmarked Renatinho dribbled towards goal before striking an effort into the right corner of the net from outside the box.

Melbourne looked to rally after the start of the 2nd half with Carlos Hernandez sending a shot wide in the 56th minute while Nik Mrdja also fired wide from the edge of the box.

However it was Kawasaki who scored in the 90th minute when Taniguchi turned the ball home from close range before the visitors were also reduced to 10 men when Broxham received his second booking of the day.

Sasa Ognenovski made a triumphant return home as the defender opened the scoring and Korean outfit Seongnam Ilhwa recorded a crucial 2-0 win over Melbourne Victory in AFC Champions League Group E.

Ognenovski slid home the opening goal of a scrappy match in the 40th minute before Yun Young-sun then made sure of the result with the second five minutes from full-time.

It was a scrappy opening half that featured four bookings. Seongnam had the first chance with Mauricio Molina’s angled shot denied while after 21 minutes, a fierce long shot from Kim Sung-hwan rose over the bar.

Costa Rican Marvin Angulo had Melbourne’s best chance of the half, latching onto some good work from Robbie Kruse and Nick Ward but hitting his shot straight at Jung Sung-Ryung.

Keeping with the nature of the game, Ognenovski’s goal five minutes before the interval was far from pretty.

Ward gave away a free-kick in a dangerous area and Molina delivered the ball into the box. It hit Leigh Broxham then the bar and the rebound was out of Mitch Langerak’s reach. Former Queensland and Adelaide defender Ognenovski was on hand to tuck it away.

Melbourne pressed hard for an equaliser but Kruse stumbled in the box and Hernandez fired a long-range effort straight at the keeper.

Those misses were to prove costly as Song Ho-young won a corner and from that Yun rose unmarked to nod the ball home.

Kawasaki substitute midfielder Wang Changqing scored twice as Beijing Guoan maintained their 100% start in Group E with a 3-1 win over Kawasaki Frontale in the AFC Champions League on Tuesday.

Australian striker Joel Griffiths produced a cool finish to open the scoring for Beijing after 37 minutes before Kosuke Kikuchi hit back for the home side just three minutes later.

But after stepping off the bench at half-time, Wang regained Beijing’s lead five minutes after the hour mark before sealing the win with a sublime finish with four minutes remaining.

The win ensures Beijing remain at the top of the group alongside Seongnam, who beat Melbourne 2-0.

Beijing Guoan’s Joel Griffiths scored the winner as his side won 1-0 win over Melbourne Victory in the opening round of Group E of the AFC Champions League last night.

Former Newcastle Jets star Griffiths left his mark early in the 2nd half with a beautiful strike to give Beijing Guoan a well deserved victory.

Griffiths controlled a low cross from the right and beat goalkeeper Mitch Langerak with a low shot.

The goal followed a period when of domination from the Vhinese outfit who were playing at home in freezing conditions. Earlier on Victory’s Tom Pondeljak had brought the best out of goalkeeper Yang Zhi with a rising shot that was destined for the corner of the net.

Melbourne Victory pressed forward after falling behind but couldn’t develop any clear chances for goal.

Korea Republic’s Seongnam Ilhwa beat Japan’s Kawasaki Frontale 2-0 in the other group match.

Group E is made up of the following ACL teams.

• Seongnam (KOR) – K League is in off season but Seongnam finished 2009 in 4th. With success and experience in the ACL Champions league, I would expect a strong performance this year.
• Melbourne (AUS) – Melbourne didn’t do anything spectacular 2 years ago when they first and last participated, but their domestic form is strong and they have shown a lot of consistency in performance this year. They are in a tough group and it will require a strong performance to move to the next round.
• Beijing (CHN) – won the 2009 Chinese Super League by one point. They are a strong performer and will be difficult team to beat at home. Haven’t progressed past the group stage in their last 2 appearances.
• Kawasaki (JPN) – favourite to win the group. Big things expected for 2010 with a new coach and some rebuilding going on. 2009 saw them second in the domestic season and quarter finalist in the ACL 2009.

Group E March Day 1 features:
SEONGNAM ILHWA FC (KOR) vs KAWASAKI FRONTALE (JPN) – Kawasaki are favourites but this will be a very tight contest first up for both teams as they are still both out of season.
BEIJING GUOAN (CHN) vs MELBOURNE VICTORY (AUS) – Beijing would be clear favourites playing at home. Melbourne Victory are playing in domestic finals so injuries and some fatigue of traveling could count against them.

Melbourne Victory has named a 25-man squad for its upcoming Asian Champions League 2010 campaign, promoting six players from its National Youth League side.

Aziz Behich and Luke Pilkington, who both recently made their Hyundai A-League debuts, have been elevated alongside fellow Melbourne Victory Youth players Diogo Ferreira, Petar Franjic, Stephen Hatzikostas and goalkeeper Sebastian Mattei, while Celeski could return to action if Melbourne Victory progresses to the Round of 16.

Celeski has made significant progress and begun running again after landing awkwardly and tearing his anterior cruciate ligament during Melbourne Victory’s Round 5 match against Newcastle Jets in September last year.

Scotsman Grant Brebner and Costa Ricans Carlos Hernandez and Marvin Angulo form Melbourne Victory’s allowed quota of three foreign players, with Thai Surat Sukha the club’s additional import from within Asia.

Franjic is the youngest of the youngest of the squad at 17, while Kevin Muscat will lead the club in its second ACL appearance at 36.

Melbourne Victory Football Operations Manager Gary Cole said the club is looking forward to competing in Asia’s premier club competition, which kicks off against Beijing Guoan in the Chinese capital on February 23.

Melbourne Victory will face Beijing, Korea Republic’s Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma and Japanese powerhouse Kawasaki Frontale in Group E of the ACL 2010.

Following its opener against Beijing, Melbourne Victory will host Seongnam at Etihad Stadium on Tuesday, March 9, before consecutive matches against Kawasaki on March 23 at Kawasaki Todoroki Stadium and Wednesday, March 31 at Etihad.

Melbourne Victory will welcome Beijing to Etihad on Wednesday, April 14, followed by a potentially decisive trip to Korea Republic for its final Group Stage match against Seongnam at Tancheon Sports Complex on April 28.

Should Melbourne Victory progress to the Round of 16, the one-off elimination match will be played on Wednesday, May 12.