Cerezo Osaka 2-1 Arema Indonesia
Cerezo Osaka celebrated their AFC Champions League debut by beating Arema Indonesia 2-1 in their Group G opener at Nagai Stadium in Osaka on Wednesday.

Rodrigo Pimpao, who is on loan from Rio giants Vasco de Gama, scored both goals, with the Brazilian striker grabbing the opener early in the first half before netting the winner in the 76th minute after Singapore international Noh Alam Shah had equalised from the penalty spot.

Cerezo, who qualified for their first-ever ACL by coming third in last year’s J. League, displayed aggressive football from the start of the game, with Pimpao, Taskashi Inui and Shu Kurata moving well in attack.

The hosts went ahead in the 14th minute thanks to the combination of trio.

Inui latched on to a through ball from Kurata and went down to the byline before returning the ball to Pimpao, who headed home the opener from inside the area.

In the 25th minute, Inui threatened the Arema goal with a shot from a Kurata pass but the ball went wide.

Arema, playing in the ACL for only their second time after making their debut in the 2007 edition, tried to find their pace with the services of forwards Slovakian Roman Chmelo and Alam Shah.

In the 30th minute, midfielder Ahmad Bustomi got a ball from the back and ran down the left flank to hit a shot from just inside the box but his effort, hit under pressured by Daisuke Takahashi, sailed past the woodwork.

After the break the Indonesian side, currently placed second in their domestic league, rallied and came close with a mid-range attempt from Chmelo, forcing Korea international goalkeeper Kim Jin-hyeon to palm the ball out of the area for a corner.

A minute later, referee Torki Mohsen penalised Cerezo defender Taikai Uemoto for a handball in the area as he attempted to clear an Arema cross out of the area and Alam Shah subsequently converted the 49th minute penalty.
Boosted by that goal. Arema found their passing ability and frustrated the hosts by pressuring them hard.

Nevertheless, Cerezo passed the ball around patiently and came in to the box with chances and half chances from Kim Bo-kyung and Kurata halfway through the second half. Kim hit the bar in the 70th minute, while Arema goalkeeper Achmad Kurniawan reacted well to deny an attempt from Kurata two minutes later.

And their efforts were finally rewarded in the 76th minute when Pimpao connected with a Masaki Chugo free-kick and put his side ahead once again from close range.

Arema fought hard and came close to levelling the scores again in the 85th minute when Alam Shah’s shot beat advancing goalkeeper Kim, but Cerezo defender Teruyuki Moniwa rushed in to rescue the south Osaka team.

Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors 1-0 Shandong
A second-half header from Park Won-jae was enough to give Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors a deserved 1-0 win over Shandong Luneng at Jeonju World Cup Stadium in Group G of the AFC Champions League.

On a cold night at the home of the 2006 ACL winners, the former Pohang Steelers and Omiya Ardija wing-back struck on the hour after Jeonbuk had missed a number of chances against the Chinese champions.

Most of the first-half was spent in Shandong territory and the best opportunity of the opening period fell to Lee Dong-guk after 14 minutes.

Eninho launched a ball down the right side for Cho Sung-hwan to cross and it fell to the former Middlesbrough marksman 10 yards out but with the goal at his mercy, he sent the shot wide.

Two minutes later, Cho almost put his team ahead when he latched on to a left-sided corner to fire in the direction of the goal but Li Wei managed to get his body in the way.

Shandong offered little going forward and just after the half-hour, the busy Eninho went close with a free-kick from inside the arc on the edge of Shandong’s area. The Brazilian’s curling shot just shaved the outside of Yang Cheng’s left post.

Seven minutes after the restart, Cho was involved yet again as he headed over a corner from close range.

Just as Jeonbuk fans were starting to think that it wasn’t going to be their night, the deadlock was broken in the 60th minute.

From outside the right corner of the penalty area, Eninho floated over a tantalising cross to the far post. It eluded a host of players from both teams but Park followed in and, after the ball had bounced, headed over the line from close range from a narrow angle.

Shandong then began to push forward in search of an equaliser. A mix-up in defence on the right corner of the box allowed Zheng Zheng to steal possession and the midfielder unleashed a fierce low shot that flashed past Jeonbuk’s left-hand post.

The visitors came even closer 12 minutes from time.

Han Peng had been on the pitch for just a few minutes when he was afforded space to head Zhou Haibin’s cross from the right towards the far corner of the Jeonbuk goal, forcing a flying save from Jeonbuk debutant Yeom Dong-hyunm, who managed to tip the ball round the post for a corner.

Both sides continued to create half-chances but the scoreline stayed the same to get Jeonbuk off to a winning start.

Al Wahda 1-1 Bunyodkor
Two late goals lit up the Group C match between UAE Pro League champions Al Wahda and Uzbekistan champions Bunyodkor as their AFC Champions League encounter ended in a 1-1 draw.

With the game seemingly heading to a goalless conclusion, Bunyodkor substitute Murzoev Kamoliddin – on the pitch for just two minutes – set up Azizbek Haydarov to give the visitors an 84th minute lead that looked to have snatched the points.

However Hugo (Hugo Henrique Assis do Nascimento), a 63rd minute substitute for hosts Al Wahda, had other ideas and equalised with three minutes remaining to share the points and send the home crowd into a frenzy.

With the UAE Pro League title definitely not remaining with Al Wahda, success in the 2011 AFC Champions League is now the priority and Josef Hickesberger’s side managed to salvage a point against the Uzbeks despite missing a few opportunities.

Al Wahda served notice of their intentions early when Fernando Baiano let fly from the top of the box but Ignatiy Nesterov had no problem collecting the ball.

Seven minutes later the ball ricocheted off the Brazilian to Ismail Matar and the UAE star did well to beat a few defenders but his final effort was inches away from the far corner.

Bunyodkor, playing their first official match since their domestic season ended in October, looked rusty and it was not until the 21st minute that they threatened but Viktor Karpenko’s effort missed the target.

The best move of the match came in the 23rd minute when Baiano moved the ball out to Mohammad Al Shehhi on the right and the latter found Matar who in turn fed an advancing Mahmoud Khamis down the left. However Mahmoud’s effort was weak and straight at Nesterov, allowing the Bunyodkor keeper to save with ease.

Al Wahda finished the first period with another wasted chance, this time Al Shehhi and Baiano combining but the latter could not extend Nesterov.

Soon after the break Haider Allo thwarted Karpenko’s effort and at the other end, Baiano headed wide over the bar.

Both Mirdjalal Kasimov and Hickesberger rung the changes but the game appeared to be fizzling out into a goalless stalemate until the late fireworks that ended with Al Wahda snatching a draw.

Al Ittihad 3-1 Piroozi
Abdelmalek Ziaya struck twice as Al Ittihad began their 2011 AFC Champions League assault with an impressive 3-1 win over Piroozi at Prince Abdullah Al Faisal Stadium.

The striker opened the scoring for the two-time ACL champions in the Group C clash after 14 minutes with an exquisite finish before Maziar Zare’s deflected free-kick put the Iranians back on level terms.

However, Mohammed Noor’s penalty one minute after the interval re-established the home side’s lead and Ziaya rounded off a deserved victory with a close-range tap-in with quarter of an hour remaining.

The Algerian striker served notice he would need close attention after just five minutes when he met Noor’s deep cross with a powerful header on the edge of the area that Piroozi keeper Ahmad Rahman did brilliantly to tip onto the crossbar.

However, Ziaya broke the deadlock when he raced clear of the visiting defence before curling a sublime finish into the top corner.

Piroozi were level just six minutes later, however, thanks to a huge slice of fortune. Zare struck a fierce free-kick from distance that took a telling deflection off an Al Ittihad defender before ending up in the back of the net via the inside of the post with keeper Mabrouk Zaid left flat-footed on his line.

Paulo Jorge fired a dead ball into Rahman’s hands and Ziaya sliced wide following good link-up play with Mohammad Al Rashed as the half ended all square.

Al Ittihad came out roaring at the start of the second period and came close to retaking the lead within seconds of the restart only for Ziaya to see his dink over Rahman cleared off the line after the Piroozi keeper had managed to get a hand on the ball.

The Saudis were not to be denied and in the 49th minute went in front for a second time.

Nuno Assis latched onto a defence-splitting pass but was taken out in the box by the onrushing Rahman. Noor calmly sent the keeper the wrong way from the spot.

Rahman had to be alert to smother Assis’ shot two minutes later after the midfielder broke the offside trap with a run from deep and Saud Khariri tested the keeper with a close-range poke before sidefooting weakly in the 55th minute.

Rahman stood up well to block Ziaya’s finish after Al Ittihad carved Piroozi apart in the 70th minute but five minutes later, the striker had his second.

Substiute Rashad Al Raheb beat Sepehr Heydari with ease inside the area and his low centre across the six-yard box was tapped in at the back post by Ziaya.

Zaid flapped at a corner with eight minutes to go but Zare scuffed wide and Hamad Al Montishari headed Jorge’s cross against the outside of the far post as Al Ittihad made an impressive start to their continental campaign.

Al Rayyan 1-1 Al Shabab
Al Shabab came from a goal down to hold Al Rayyan at Ahmed Bin Ali Stadium as Nasser Al Shamrani’s second-half header clinched a 1-1 draw.

Last year’s AFC Champions League semi-finalists fell behind in the 33rd minute when Brazilian striker Itamar converted from the spot,

But Al Shamrani pounced just before the hour mark to ensure a share of the spoils for the Saudis.

In a Group D clash played in chilly conditions, both teams wasted little time in seeking the early momentum.

In the fifth minute, the local fans gave former Al Rayyan player Marcelo Tavares a tough reception when he headed away a looping shot from Fabio Cesar near the goaline.

Itamar then wasted a good chance to give Al Rayyan an early lead after nine minutes when midfielder Rodrigo Tabata provided a perfect pass but the 30-year-old, who played for four different Korean clubs, failed to tap in barely three yards from goal with keeper Waleed Abdullah left helpless.

Al Rayyan skipper Fabio Cesar nearly produced an exquisite opener on the half-hour mark but his left-footed effort from near the penalty spot was just the wrong side of the post with Al Shabab keeper Abdullah well beaten.

The home side did take the lead three minutes later, though, when Al Shabab midfielder Ali Atif tripped Hamid Ismael inside the box and referee Yuichi Nishimura wasted little time in pointing to the spot.

Itamar, who had not been at his sharpest up until then, coolly beat Abdullah from 12 yards to give Al Rayyan a half-time lead.

Shabab defender Hassan Muath called Saoud Abdulla into action six minutes into the second-half but the Al Rayyan keeper tipped his shot over the bar.

Abdulla did excellently once again in the 54th minute to preserve his side’s advantage when he managed to stop defender Zaid Almowalad’s ferocious shot, although he needed medical attention shortly afterwards.

The visitors finally got back on level terms in the 59th minute when Al Shamrani found the back of Al Rayyan net. Almowalad delivered from the far side and the striker’s diving header proved good enough to beat Abdulla.

Al Shabab almost grabbed a winner with 14 minutes to go but Abdulaziz Saran saw his header bounce back off the bar as both sides were forced to settle for a point apiece. 

Zob Ahan 2-1 Emirates
Zob Ahan battled back from a goal down to a record a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Emirates at Foolad Shahr Stadium on Wednesday.

In a first half of few scoring opportunities, the visitors took a shock lead six minutes before the break through Nabil Daoudi.

It did not last long though as Seyed Mohammad Hosseini equalised just before half time and Igor Castro sealed Zob Ahan’s victory with a 55th minute goal.

Zob Ahan’s Shahab Gordon was the first of either keeper to be called into action when he did well to get a hand to Daoudi’s low shot with less than five minutes gone.

But after that there were few noteworthy opportunities as play was largely contested in midfield with the few forays forward from either side well dealt with by the respective defence.

It looked as though the first half was to come to a goalless conclusion but the visitors stunned their opponents in the 39th minute when they took the lead.

A long ball from Emirates’ own half over the top had the defence beaten and Gordan misjudged his attempted save, missing the ball completely to allow Daoudi to race on and finish from a tight angle.

But the lead did not last long as another goalkeeping error presented Zob Ahan with the leveller when Ahmad Ibrahim failed to catch a long throw from the right and Hosseini was on hand to nod into the empty net.

The hosts then went ahead 10 minutes into the second half when Ibrahim was unable to hold onto a Shahin Kheiri free-kick and succeeded in only pushing the ball into the path of Igor Castro, who had raced forward to pounce on the ball and stab home.

The pace of the game slowed down after that, though Emirates attempted to respond in the 69th minute when they were awarded a free-kick in a promising position but Karim Kerkar’s dipping effort was straight at Gordan.

Zob Ahan controlled possession for the remaining minutes and had a chance to add third in the last five minutes when Mohammad Reza Khalatbari – who had had a largely quiet game – struck a well-hit effort that Ibrahim got down to save well.

There was a scare for the Iranians though just before full time when Emirates enjoyed a spell of pressure but Zob Ahan held on to ensure their bid for the title got off to a winning start.

Sydney FC (0 – 0) Suwon Samsung Bluewings
Ten-man Sydney FC and Suwon Samsung Bluewings played out a hard-fought scoreless draw in their opening AFC Champions League Group H match at the Sydney Football Stadium on Wednesday.

The home side were forced to play a man short for nearly an hour in a sometimes tempestuous contest after skipper Terry McFlynn was dismissed for stamping on Lee Sang-ho.

Suwon fielded their quartet of new signings in defender Hwang Jae-won, midfielder Lee Yong-rae, striker Yeom Ki-hoon as well as Korea Republic’s 2010 FIFA World Cup goalkeeper Jung Sung-ryong.

Despite high-tempo movement at times Suwon displayed rustiness on a number of occasions ahead of the K-League season, which commences this weekend, while Sydney, whose A-League season concluded three weeks ago, extended their unbeaten run to nine matches in their first continental outing for three years.

Sydney’s new signing David Williams had a quiet debut on the right flank where he was rarely allowed enough latitude to display his speed. Striker Bruno Cazarine was invariably forced to battle alone up front following the dismissal of McFlynn.

In a match of few openings Suwon’s Choi Sung-kuk had perhaps the best chance of the contest after just eight minutes but the visiting captain spurned a glorious opportunity by blazing well over with only exposed goalkeeper Liam Reddy to beat.

At the other end the home side failed to test the visiting goalkeeper until moments before half-time with Sydney’s Japanese midfielder Hirofumi Moriyasu warming the palms of keeper Jung from distance.

The Koreans commenced the second period in bright fashion with Yang Sang-min forcing a fine sprawling save from Reddy, before Oh Jang-eun narrowly cleared the crossbar with a spectacular overhead kick.

Suwon defender Mato Neretljak curled a free-kick around the wall with five minutes remaining only for the ball to clear the near post of a diving Reddy.

Almost immediately after Sydney defender Stephan Keller directed a header wide as the home side ramped up the pressure in the final minutes.

However a goal was not forthcoming for either side, meaning they both had to settle for a share of the spoils in their ACL opener.

Kashima Antlers (0 – 0) Shanghai Shenhua
Kashima Antlers were held by Shanghai Shenhua in a goalless draw at Hongkou Stadium on Wednesday in their AFC Champions League Group H opener.

The visitors from Japan were the better of the two sides throughout the match, but they failed to break Shanghai’s gritty defence.

All four sides in the group are tied on one point after Sydney FC and Suwon Samsung Bluewings also played out a goalless draw in Sydney earlier on Wednesday.

The visitors looked more dangerous in the first half, having plenty of possession while Shanghai appeared defensive-minded, and they were the first to threaten in the early exchanges.

Shanghai goalkeeper Wang Dalei made no mistake in denying Takuya Nozawa’s two long-range efforts shortly after the match got underway.

Kashima had another sniff of goal with 15 minutes gone when Fellype Gabriel headed Nozawa’s corner into the path of the onrushing Takeshi Aoki at the far post, only to see Wang make a timely block to deny the midfielder.

It was not until 20 minutes into the game that the hosts made their first attempt when Duvier Riascos’ left-footed long-range effort was collected by keeper Hitoshi Sogahata with ease.

Luis Salmeron then posed a real threat to Sogahata, heading Jiang Kun’s cross from the right over the crossbar.

Four minutes after the half-hour mark, Fellype Gabriel headed Nozawa’s cross across the face of goal, only to see Shanghai’s Syrian defender Abdulkader Dakka react quickly to clear it.

Kashima accelerated their attacking pace after the interval as the hosts looked determined to guard the goal with a massed defence.

However, Shanghai created a golden opportunity nine minutes into the second period through a counter-attack.

Jiang’s volley on the edge of the penalty area deflected off a defender before Salmeron collected the loose ball from 10 yards, but his lobbed shot wasn’t strong enough to beat Sogahata.

Kashima then turned the remainder of the game into a one-sided affair, having Shanghai pinned inside their own half.

But the visitors were still unable to produce much real attacking threat while Salmeron called Sogahata into action following a counter attack four minutes after the hour mark. The Argentinean striker latched onto a well-weighted cross from Wu Xi before clipping a 15-yard effort which was parried out by the keeper with a superb reflex save.

Kashima came close to a first goal four minutes later when a corner by Alex caused a goalmouth scramble with Fellype Gabriel hitting a spectacular bicycle kick that flew just over the bar.

But neither side managed to create any meaningful action in the last 20 minutes, meaning they had to settle for a share of the points.

Sepahan 2 – 1 Al Hilal
Sepahan stunned Saudi giants Al Hilal on Tuesday as the Iranians claimed a 2-1 victory in their opening AFC Champions League encounter at King Fahd International Stadium.

After a goalless first half it was the visitors who went ahead when Ibrahima Toure headed home in 51st minute before Sepahan added a second just nine minutes later when Al Hilal keeper Abdullah Alsdairy managed to turn Fabio Januario’s corner into his own net.

It seemed Sepahan were coasting to victory but Christian Wilhelmsson struck in stoppage time to ensure a nervy few minutes for Farhad Kazemi’s side.

The win means Sepahan move top of Group A with three points, two ahead of Al Jazira and Al Gharafa who played out a goalless draw in Abu Dhabi.

Chances were at a premium through much of the early stages of the first half and Wilhelmsson summed up the quality of the few opportunities that were created when his speculative 25th minute effort ballooned off a defender and was comfortably held by keeper Mahdi Rahmati.

The first real opportunity arrived in the 34th minute when a long ball was played into the area and Nawaf Alabid raced between two defenders and rose to meet the cross but could only direct his header at the Sepahan keeper.

But six minutes into the second half it was Sepahan who got their noses in front when a long throw bounced through the area and found Toure unmarked at the far post and the Senegalese striker directed a header against the edge of the woodwork and into the back of the net.

Al Hilal looked to offer a quick response and a fine move by Wilhelmsson deserved more as the Swedish winger danced his way past three defenders before drilling a well-struck effort that was too close to Rahmati.

But instead it was Sepahan who went further ahead just before the hour when a corner by Januario was diverted into his own net by Al Hilal keeper Alsdairy.

That goal pretty much wrapped up the points for the visitors but Al Hilal continued to try and press for a goal as Mohammad Salem Al Qarni just failed to get his foot to a Wilhelmsson cross when well-placed inside the area.

But it was Sepahan who came closest to scoring again 10 minutes before the end when Milorad Janjus swept a low shot from just inside the area that Alsdairy did well to get a hand to and push onto the post.

The visitors took their foot off the pedal after that, seemingly content with their margin of victory.

However, Al Hilal pulled one back through Wilhelmsson from the left of the area with a well-hit effort in stoppage time and though the hosts pressed after that, Sepahan held on for the win.

Al Jazira 0-0 Al Gharafa
Qatar side Al Gharafa and UAE Pro League leaders Al Jazira settled for a point apiece following a goalless draw in their opening 2011 AFC Champions League Group A game at Mohamed Bin Zayed Stadium.

Al Jazira, who are on course for a domestic double including a first-ever league title, enjoyed the better share of exchanges but could not convert their superiority into goals and had to be satisfied with a draw.

In the first period, which was played mostly at a pedestrian pace, it was Al Jazira who saw more of the goalmouth action. With left back Abdulla Mousa given a lot of space on the left flank, most of Jazira’s initial attacks came from there.

In the 14th minute Mousa ran from deep and crossed into the box but the danger was thwarted just before his Brazilian team-mate Bare could reach it.

Four minutes later, Al Jazira’s Argentinian import Matias Delgado saw his shot bounce off a defender only for Mousa to latch on to the loose ball but Qasem Burhan, Al Gharafa custodian and Qatar national team goalkeeper, was quick to save his effort.

Though Al Gharafa looked more powerful on paper, it was not until the 24th minute that they threatened but Al Jazira goalkeeper Ali Kashief saved Iraqi striker Younus Mahmood’s shot.

The Qatari club’s best chance in the first half came when their Cote d’Ivoire star Amara Diane broke the offside trap and, after a slight hesitation, shot but Kashief did well to push the ball for a corner kick.

With Ibrahim Diaky, Subhait Khater and Delgado in the middle and Bare and fellow Brazilian Ricardo De Oliveira up front, Jazira kept pressing but failed to get a clear look at the rival goal.

A little frustrated, Jazira’s Diaky and Juma Abdulla received yellow cards while Gharafa’s Mirghani Al Zain also got his name into the referee’s notebook.

Moroccan Othman Al Assas replaced Al Zain at the start of the second-half to bolster Al Gharafa’s midfield but again it was the host team who made the running. A Delgado through pass found Bare but the Brazilian was foiled before he could convert in the 52nd minute. From the resultant corner kick, Delgado unleashed a firm drive from the top of the box but Burhan was equal to the task.

Then in the 60th minute, interplay between Bare and Delgado ended with the Argentine having a go at goal but Burhan’s outstretched legs saved his team.

Jazira’s pressure almost paid off in the 62nd minute but for a superb goal line clearance by defender Marcone Amaral. Bare sent Oliveira through and the latter moved in, evaded the advancing Burhan and shot into an empty goal but Amaral rushed back swiftly and thwarted danger.

Al Gharafa managed a counter-attack in the 71st minute and Ahmed Fares lobbed the ball into the box, where Mahmoud headed against the right-hand post and Jazira custodian Ali Kashief managed to recover and pick up the loose ball.

With time ticking away, Al Jazira pressed hard and the home crowd thought Diaky had earned a penalty when Burhan charged out to block him but referee Nawaf Shukrullah was close to the action and pointed to a goal kick.

Three minutes from time Al Jazira earned a free-kick but Khater’s well-taken shot was saved by Burhan. Then in the final minute Delgado worked his way into the box but a defender cleared and with that the final whistle came shortly afterwards.

Al Nassr (2-2) Pakhtakor
Al Nassr twice came from behind to earn their first point of the AFC Champions League with a 2-2 draw with Pakhtakor.

Sherzod Karimov opened the scoring for the hosts seconds before the break but Bader Al Motawaa equalised five minutes into the second half.

Dilshod Sharofetdinov put Pakhtakor ahead once again on the hour but Bojan Miladinovic ensured Al Nassr would leave Uzbekistan with their first point in Group B when he put the ball into his own net when attempting to cut out Mohammad Al Sahlawi’s cross.

Al Nassr were barely getting a look in and it was no surprise that the next chance went the way of Pakhtakor midway through the half when Miladinovic managed to turn inside a crowded area and let fly with a shot that Al Anzi did well to punch away for a corner.

Pakhtakor deservedly took the lead on the stroke of half time when Karimov was picked out down the right and the midfielder cut inside a defender before curling an effort from just outside the area over a stranded Al Anzi, who had left his line in anticipation of collecting a cross.

Amazingly, though, Al Nassr were level barely five minutes into the second half with their first shot of the half.

Victor Figueroa was left alone on the right and the Argentinean midfielder made his way into the area before getting the better of a defender and then showing great awareness to pass to the feet of Al Motawaa, who made no mistake from close range.

Al Nassr restored their advantage on the hour when Karimov delivered a deep free-kick into the area that Kakhi Makharadze cleverly headed back across the face of goal for Sharofetdinov to nod in.

Al Nassr introduced Al Sahlawi who came close when he raced onto Abbas’ smart chest down on the edge of the area before sidefooting a shot under the dive of the keeper, only to see the ball agonisingly bounce back off the base of the upright.

But Al Sahlawi was to play a major part as the visitors salvaged a point with a minute remaining as the Saudi Arabia international’s low cross was diverted into his own net by Miladinovic with Saad Al Harthi in close attention.

Esteghlal (1 – 1) Al Sadd
A late goal from Abdul Kaider Keta ensured a 1 – 1 draw between Esteghlal and Al Sadd at Azadi Sports Complex on Tuesday.

Esteghlal were the better side in the opening exchanges and their first chance arrived in the sixth minute when the lively Iman Mobali drove a curling free-kick into the penalty area and all it needed was the slightest of touches but keeper Saad Al Sheed showed great reactions to deny Hanif Omranzadeh.

The hosts took the lead early in the first half when Mobali crossed into the area and after Al Sadd failed to clear the danger the ball eventually fell to skipper Majidi, who delivered a well-struck effort into the corner of the net.

Esteghlal thought they had a second three minutes before the break when Mehdei Amirabadi fired a long-range strike that forced Al Sheeb into a save. Majidi pounced on the loose ball and lashed home but the goal was ruled out for offside.

Al Sadd came out strong in the second half with Keita sending a free-kick over the bar while Leonadro went even closer when he directed a dangerous header goalwards but Taleboo did well to clear the danger.

Goalscoring chances dried up after that but when one of note did arrive it produced the equaliser when Leonardo found himself inside the area and his ball deflected off Pejman Montazeri straight to Keita, who nodded home from close range to earn a point for the visitors.

Hangzhou Greentown (2-0) Nagoya Grampus
Substitute Ba Li gave Hangzhou Greentown a dream start to their AFC Champions League debut as he scored one and set up another to help the Chinese side stun Japanese champions Nagoya Grampus 2-0 in their Group F opener.

Ba provided the assist for Luis Ramirez just after being brought onto the pitch just after the hour mark before scoring his side’s second five minutes before time when Hangzhou looked desperate to protect their slender lead.

The ACL debutants’ outplayed and outsmarted the visitors, particularly in the first half, with the Ramirez and Sebastian Vazquez proving constant threats to the Nagoya defence.

Midway through the first half, Vasquez headed Wang Song’s inviting cross straight at Narazaki from the far post before the Uruguayan’s 30-yard strike was collected by the keeper one minute later.

Nagoya finally had a sniff of goal in the 30th minute when the unmarked Marcus Tulio Tanaka latched onto a free-kick by Jungo Fujimoto, only to see his powerful 15-yard drive fly over the bar.

Nagoya came out strong in the second half and were holding onto the ball more and Josh Kennedy and Tamada both fired two long-range efforts, though neither attempt was strong enough to threaten Jiang.

One minute before the hour mark, Ba replaced Shen and the substitution paid dividends soon after the switch.

The youngster collected Sun Ji’s pass in the box before clipping the ball across the face of the goal with Ramirez reacting quickly to shoot past Narazaki.

The goal sparked Nagoya to life as the visitors intensified attack to seek an equaliser and Masukawa looked for an immediate reply but his header flew just wide.

Ba locked up the victory with a spectacular strike from the right that deceived Narazaki, who thought it was a cross meant for team-mates, only to see the ball loop over him before hitting the back of the net.

Al Ain (0-1) FC Seoul
Hosts Al Ain losed one nil to K-League champions FC Seoul in their opening AFC Champions League Group F match.

The visitors missed a good chance in the 10th minute when striker Mauricio Molina was left unmarked inside the box but the Colombian mis-hit his volley and let Al Ain off the hook.

Seconds later it was Seoul’s turn to breathe a sigh of relief when Omar Abdulrahman took advantage of a defensive lapse inside the box to bear down on goal but the young UAE star shot into the side netting with only keeper Kim Young-dae to beat.

The Seoul midfield, led by Uzbekistan skipper Server Djeparov and Brazilian Adilson (Adilson dos Santos), combined well to ensure the hosts were under not insignificant pressure.

Damjanovic struck in the 24th minute by cushioning a long pass and then fire home from close range and ensure the Koreans went in at the break a goal to the good.

UAE national team star Ali Al Wehaibi, who had a good game, was pushed by Seoul skipper Kim Dong-jin and the referee pointed to the spot.

Elias took his time and aimed low to the right of Korean keeper Kim but he pulled off a fine save to ensure Al Ain’s misery continued as FC Seoul were able to close out the game and get their 2011 AFC Champions League campaign off to a winning start.

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.”

FT – AL ITTIHAD (KSA) v PIROOZI ATHLETIC (IRN) (3 – 1)

FT – SYDNEY FC (AUS) v SUWON SAMSUNG BLUEWINGS (KOR) (0 – 0)

FT – CEREZO OSAKA (JPN) v AREMA INDONESIA (IDN) (2- 1)

FT – JEONBUK HYUNDAI MOTORS (KOR) v SHANDONG LUNENG FC (CHN) (1 -0)

FT – SHANGHAI SHENHUA (CHN) v KASHIMA ANTLERS (JPN) (0 – 0)

FT – AL WAHDA (UAE) v BUNYODKOR (UZB) (1 – 1)

FT – AL RAYYAN (QAT) v AL SHABAB (KSA) (1 – 1)

FT – ZOBAHAN (IRN) v EMIRATES (UAE) (2 – 1)

FT – AL AIN (UAE) v FC SEOUL (KOR) (0 – 1)

FT – AL HILAL (KSA) v FOOLAD MOBAREKEH SEPAHAN (IRN) (1 – 2)

FT – HANGZHOU GREENTOWN (CHN) v NAGOYA GRAMPUS (JPN) (2 – 0)

FT – PAKHTAKOR (UZB) v AL NASSR (KSA) (2 – 2)

FT – JEJU UNITED (KOR) v TIANJIN TEDA (CHN) ( 0 – 1)

FT – GAMBA OSAKA (JPN) v MELBOURNE VICTORY (AUS) (5 – 1)

FT – AL JAZIRA (UAE) v AL GHARAFA (QAT) (0 – 0)

FT – ESTEGHLAL (IRN) v AL SADD (QAT) (1 – 1)

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

Group F is made up of the following teams:

• FC Seoul (Kor)
• Hangzhou Greentown (Chn)
• Nagoya Grampus (Jpn)
• Winner East

FC Seoul
Winners of the 2010 J League, this is likely Japan’s best hope for 2011 ACL Champions League. Coming off the winter off season all of the J League teams will be slightly rusty but the professionalism of the J League will ensure that each team will be ready for a new domestic and ACL season. Given a J league team hasn’t won the tournament for a few years, pressure will be on to at least have a J League team into the final for 2011.

Hangzhou Greentown
Hangzhou finished 4th in the 2010 Chinese Super League, only 2 points behind second on a very competitive and close season, Their 4th finish included 13 wins, 9 draws and 8 loses. Hangzhou didn’t compete in the 2010 ACL competitions so will be looking to make the most of this opportunity. With Nagoya and FC Seoul in the same Group Hangzhou has it’s work cut out for it to make it through the group stage.

Nagoya Grampus
Nagoya were clearly the best team in Japan in 2010 winning Division 1 of the J League by 10 points, with 18 wins, 9 draws and only 3 losses. Even though they didn’t compete in the 2010 ACL, I would consider them a real threat this year, particularly on last year’s form. Group F is a tough group containing both the K and J league champions, so clearly a top 2 position is available when you consider that Hangzhou finished 4th domestically last year. Should make for some very tight home and away matches.

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.

Today we move on to Group D of the AFC Asian Champions League 2011.

Group D is made up of the following teams:

• AL RAYYAN (QAT)
• AL SHABAB (KSA)
• EMIRATES (UAE)
• ZOBAHAN (IRN)

Al Rayyan
A new comer to the AFC Champions League. Al Rayyan is sitting mid table in the Qatar Stars League with 6 wins, 3 loses and 4 draws so far. This looks like their first ever appearance in the AFC Champions League and it could be a rude awakening to the competitiveness of the competition for them. This will be one of the hardest groups in the western half of the competition. Being their first try I can’t see them progressing past the Group stage.

Al Shabab
Sitting 3rd at the moment in the Zain Saudi Professional League with 9 wins, 4 draws and 3 loses, Al Shabab are having a good 2010/11 season. Last year Al Shabab topped Group C in the AFC Champions League with 3 wins and where knocked out in the Quarter Finals 1 – 0 by Jeonbuk. Al Shabab will be a favourite with Group D this year and their strong domestic season will give them the confidence to make it through the groups stage.

Emirates
Another new comer to the AFC Champions League. Emirates Club qualified by winning the 2010 Etisalat Super Cup 3 – 1 against Al Wahda. Given their lack of domestic credibility (not competing in the Pro League) I can’t see them offering much in terms of competition particularly with the likes of Al Shabab and Zobahan.

Zobahan
Along with Al habab, Zobahan are favourites for this group and with their leading position in the domestic Persian Championship this team will be hard to beat. Leading the domestic competition with 13 wins the only issue I see for them is game fatigue. In last year’s AFC Champions League they finished 2nd losing the final to Korea’s Seongnam. Zobahan is one of the most successful west asian teams and will do really well again this year.

Today we move on to Group C of the AFC Asian Champions League 2011.

Group C is made up of the following teams:

• AL ITTIHAD (KSA)
• AL WAHDA (UAE)
• BUNYODKOR (UZB)
• PIROOZI ATHLETIC (IRN)

Al Ittihad
Currently sitting in 2nd position domestically (mid way through the 2010/11 season), Al Ittihad is having a strong season with 8 wins, no loses and 9 draws. In their 2010 AFC Champions League appearance, Al Ittihad had a mixed experience, winning 2 matches, drawing 2 and losing 2. They missed out on a round of 16 game and will be hoping to do better, although their Group C opponents are just as tough this year, so it will not be easy.

Al Wahda
Sitting mid table in the domestic UAE Football League, Al Wahda has had 5 wins, 3 draws and 4 loses so far. Their 2010 appearance in AFC Asian Champions League was a complete failure finishing last with 1 win and 5 loses. This year’s campaign will not be any easier and with a mixed domestic season it will be hard going to progress past the group stage.

Bunyodkor
2010 champions of the Uzbekistan Professional Football League, Bunyodkor are Uzbeckistan’s most successful club. In last year’s AFC Champions League they made it to second in Group B behind Zobahan with 3 wins, 2 loses and 1 draw. In the round of 16 they where thrashed 3 – 0 by Al Hilal, a very disappointing result. I would expect them to progress this year but with the long layoff it might be a struggle in the initial games.

Piroozi Athletic (Persepolis)
Persepolis are currently sitting mid table in the domestic Persian League with 10 wins, 4 draws and 8 loses. It hasn’t been their best season by far.  No 2010 appearance in the AFC Champions League, their last appearance was in 2009 where they progressed past the Group stage to be stopped at the round of 16. This is a very tough group with no real leader based on domestic results so far. There is a great opportunity for them here to make up for a lackluster domestic season.

Today we move on to Group B of the AFC Asian Champions League 2011.

Group B is made up of the following teams:

• AL NASSR (KSA)
• ESTEGHLAL (IRN)
• PAKHTAKOR (UZB)
• WINNER OF PLAY-OFF (WEST)

Al Nassr
Currently sitting in 4th position domestically (mid way through the 2010/11 season), Al Nassr will make it’s first appearance at the AFC Champions League. Certainly not a favourite to make it’s way through Group B when you consider that they are competing with the likes of Esteghlal and Pakhtakor, two established teams in the competition.

Esteghlal
Esteghlal comfortably cleared Group A in the 2010 AFC season but lost 3:2 to AL SHABAB (KSA). This year they are hoping for atleast the same in terms of clearing the Group stage. Domestically they are sitting 2nd after 23 rounds only 2 points away from first position. Esteghlal should comfortably make it into the round of 16. The challenge will be can they go one further.

Pakhtakor
Seems Pakhtakor is still in holiday mode come the start of the AFC champions league with their league finishing at the end of October 2010. In 2010, Pakhtakor made it to the round of 16 only to be knocked out by Al Gharafa 1 – 0. Fighting over Group C last year, the only just made it past Iran’s Sepahan to advance. This year looks like they will have an easier time of it.

Over the coming weeks and as we approach kick off on March 1, we will be previewing each of the groups to see who are the favourites and how they are likely to fair in this year’s 2011 AFC Asian Champions League competition.

Today we start with Group A which is made up of the following teams:

• AL GHARAFA (QAT)
• AL HILAL (KSA)
• AL JAZIRA (UAE)
• FOOLAD MOBAREKEH SEPAHAN (IRN)

AL GHARAFA (QAT)
We start with Al Gharafa and see what they have been up to in the Qatari league this year and how they went in last year’s competition. Last year after topping their group they progressed to the quarter finals only to marginally lose 5 – 4 on aggregate from Saudi outfit Al Hilal.

Domestically they currently list second with 28 points from 12 games. Based on their domestic performance, Al Gharafa will be a contender this year hoping to do atleast as well as last year. They face the team that knocked them out in the Quarter finals, so revenge will be in the air when they face each other.

AL HILAL (KSA)
Al Hilal made it into the semi finals last year but was knocked out over two rounds by finalist and runner up Zobahan 2 – 0 over two rounds.

Al Hilal are well into their domestic competition having already played 16 games and lead the table by 5 clear points on second. This team will be also hoping for atleast another semi final achievement if not better. In Al Gharafa they face another heavyweight of the region who together could fill spots 1 and 2 to progress beyond the group stages.

AL JAZIRA (UAE)
Also in Group A last year and also facing Al Gharafa again this year, finishing better than last in their group stage would be a step forward for the team. Last year they managed one win and one draw.

Having already played 12 games of the 2011 season, Al Jazira sits top of their domestic league with, clear by 7 points on second. So on form, they look to have the goods this year and should provide a better showing.

Given the strength of this group, I wouldn’t be placing money on them making it past this stage of the competition.

FOOLAD MOBAREKEH SEPAHAN (IRN)
Sepahan is a seasoned contender. In 2010 they finished 3rd in their Group and so didn’t progress beyond the Group stages. Two wins, two draws and two loses is what they had achieved for the season. A mixed result and with potential to do much more this year, however with teams like Al Gharafa and Al Hilal in the same group it will be very hard for them to do better.

Domestically Sepahan is sitting third, 6 point or two wins away from top spot. So a strong 2011 season should put them in good form for the Asian Champions League. They will not be easy beats whatever happens.

Japan sealed their place in the final of the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2011 with a dramatic penalty shoot-out win over Korea Republic following a 2-2 draw after extra time at Al Gharafa Stadium on Tuesday.

A Ki Sung-yong penalty had put the Koreans ahead in the 23rd minute but Ryoichi Maeda equalised nine minutes before the break.

Neither side could add a second in the second half meaning extra time was needed where Japan took the lead for the first time in the 97th minute through Hajime Hosogai.

Hwang Jae-won scored a dramatic leveller seconds before the whistle to force penalties but Korea Republic failed to convert any of theirs while only Yuto Nagatomo missed for Japan to keep Alberto Zaccheroni’s side on course for a fourth Asian title.

Shinji Okazaki was looking lively for Japan from the outset and he was the first to threaten after nine minutes when he headed just wide, and the Shimizu S-Pulse striker went even closer in the 18th minute as his powerful downward header was pushed onto the post by Korea Republic keeper Jung Sung-ryong.

It proved a crucial save as the Koreans took the lead five minutes later when Yasuyuki Konno pushed Park Ji-sung in the area and the referee immediately pointed to the spot. Ki stepped up to confidently convert the penalty beyond the reach of the diving Eiji Kawashima.

That goal opened the game up considerably and Keisuke Honda directed a powerful header from Atsuto Uchida’s cross straight into the hands of Jun while Koo Ja-cheol headed over from a Korea Republic free-kick soon after.

But Japan were back on level terms nine minutes before the break when Honda’s smart ball sent Yuto Nagamoto through on the left of the area before the defender cut a pass back to Maeda, who fired home from the middle of the box for his third of the tournament.

Koo had Korea Republic’s first chance of the second half when he was picked out by Ji Dong-won inside the area and the Jeju United midfielder wrestled his way between two defenders, but could only stab his shot into the sidenetting.

But the second period failed to match the pace of the first with Lee Yong-rae’s 71st minute free-kick curling inches wide of the upright and Okazaki’s shot at Jung the only efforts of note before the end of normal time.

Japan took the lead seven minutes into extra time when Hwang needlessly pushed Okazaki inside the area and the referee awarded the penalty, and though Honda’s weak spot kick was denied by Jung the alert Hosogai rushed in to smash the loose ball into the roof of the net.

It seemed as though that strike would be enough to send the Japanese through but the Koreans equalised in dramatic fashion when a Ki free-kick with seconds remaining was headed back into the danger zone by Kim and Hwang swept home in the ensuing goalmouth scramble.

Consequently penalties were needed to separate the two and Kawashima twice pulled off saves while Hong Jeong-ho sent his side before Konno converted to send Japan through to the final.

Australia reached their first AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2011™ final in emphatic fashion as a 6-0 win over Uzbekistan at Khalifa Stadium set up a meeting with Japan.

Harry Kewell and AFC Player of the Year Sasa Ognenovski had given Holger Osieck’s side a useful half-time lead and David Carney effectively sealed the last-four contest in the 65th minute before Ulugbaek Bakaev was sent-off two minutes later after collecting his second yellow card.

Holger Osieck’s men then ruthlessly exploited their numerical superiority as Brett Emerton, Carl Valeri and Robbie Kruse all found the back of the net.

Emerton was on the bench for Australia having missed the quarter-final win over Iraq through suspension, while Ignatiy Nesterov and Alexander Geynrikh were left out of Uzbekistan’s line-up after picking up injuries in their last-eight clash against Jordan.

It did not take long for Nesterov’s replacement Temur Juraev to be called into action when Brett Holman met Tim Cahill’s cross at the back post with a first-time volley that the keeper turned behind for a corner.

Australia broke the deadlock soon after, however. Matt McKay fed Kewell on the left side of the box and the forward took a couple of steps forward before rifling a low shot across Juraev and into the far corner.

Maksim Shatskikh curled a free-kick beyond Mark Schwarzer’s far post before Australia almost grabbed a second goal on the half-hour mark when Carney intercepted a pass just inside his own half and the left-back burst forward down the wing but as he tried to chip Juraev the keeper got a hand to the ball before Uzbekistan cleared.

They doubled their lead three minutes later, though, and Carney was again involved. The defender’s floated free-kick from the left was knocked down by Tim Cahill among a crowd of bodies and Ognenovski was quickest to react to the loose ball to rifle home from seven yards as Australia went in at the break with a two-goal cushion.

Juraev almost cost his side a third goal in the 58th minute but Anzur Ismailov managed to scramble away his under-hit pass before Australia effectively killed off the tie seven minutes later.

McKay was again the architect, playing in Carney down the left-side of the box and he slipped a finish under the body of the advancing keeper.

Odil Akhmedov’s mazy run into the box brought a smart save out of Schwarzer before Uzbekistan’s task became even harder when Bakaev – the two goal hero of the quarter-final – was sent off after picking up a second yellow card for a late challenge on Luke Wilkshire.

Kruse released Emerton but Juraev produced a good save to deny him before the midfielder got on the score-sheet in the 73rd minute as Wilkshire’s long ball caught out the Uzbek defence and Kruse squared for him to slide into the empty net.

Australia were running rampant and Juraev did well to block Kruse’s shot from inside the box when the striker had time and space before Valeri added the fifth goal with nine minutes to go when McKay cut the ball back from the byline for the midfielder to slam home from a yard out.

It was 6-0 almost immediately when Kruse won the ball in the centre-circle beat a defender and saw his weak shot slip through Juraev’s grasp to complete a one-sided triumph.

Iraq advanced to the quarter-finals of this year’s AFC Asian Cup finals after Kerrar Jasim’s first-half goal secured a 1-0 win over DPR Korea in their final group D game at Al Rayyan Stadium on Wednesday.

The midfielder scored the only goal on the night after 22 minutes to steer his side to their second win in the competition and secure their place in the knockout stage.

After a slow start from both teams, Iraq began to threaten Ri Myong-guk’s goal and they almost took the lead in the 17th minute when Mustafa Kareem met Mahdi Kareem’s corner with a forceful downward header but the ball bounced up and hit the underside of the bar before being cleared to safety.

However, Iraq’s pressure paid off five minutes later when Mustafa Kareem’s shot was parried by Ri but Jassim was first to get to the loose ball and he slid home into the empty net.

Needing to win to keep their last eight hopes alive, DPR Korea looked to hit back and Jong Tae-se called Mohammed Kassid into action with a free-kick from distance.

Jong had another chance five minutes later when he forced his way into the area but his powerful shot hit the side netting two minutes before Pak Nam-chol fired over the crossbar.

Iraq almost ended the first-half with a two-goal advantage when Jasim’s good work down the left flank ended with a fizzing cross that Mustafa Kareem met ahead of a Korean defender but steered a volley well wide from six yards.

DPR Korea were the better side in the second-half and Ryang Yong-gi unleashed a powerful shot eight minutes into the second period but Kassid proved equal to his effort.

Iraq replied shortly afterwards and Jasim saw a fierce effort fly just over the crossbar before again trying his luck in the 75th minute but his shot only found the side netting.

The Koreans continued to press and Jong had another sight of goal when he collected the ball inside the area but could not beat Kassid, who was well positioned to make the save.

DPR Korea had another opening eight minutes before the end when skipper Hong Yong-jo found some space on the edge of the box but his shot was deflected wide as Iraq held on to their narrow advantage.

Iran maintained their 100% record at the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2011™ whilst ending the UAE’s quarter-final hopes with a 3-0 victory at Qatar Sports Club Stadium on Wednesday.

The three-time champions had already wrapped up first place in Group D while the UAE had gone into the game needing three points to have a chance of joining Afshin Ghotbi’s side in the last eight.

Iran’s Arash Afshin opened the scoring in 70th before seeing his joy cut short when he was sent off two minutes later.

The UAE were then also reduced to 10 men with Khalid Sebil receiving his marching orders before Iran sealed the win with a late Mohammad Nori strike and a Walid Abbas own goal.

Iran had made a number of changes to their first 11 and it was no surprise that the UAE started the stronger as Subait Khater tried his luck from distance after nine minutes, but his shot was straight at keeper Shahab Gordon.

The UAE continued to look the more dangerous with Ahmad Khalil seeing his shot rebound off the woodwork before Ismail Matar struck the outside of the post from close range.

Iran were seemingly happy to invite the pressure for the time being, although created a good chance just before the half hour mark when a headed clearance went only as far as Mohammad Nori and the forward hit a first-time shot that flew just wide.

But it was still the UAE who looked the most likely to score as Khalil fired a free-kick over the bar before Matar’s 44th minute strike drifted just wide of Gordan’s far post.

It took until the 60th minute for the first noteworthy chance of the second half to arrive as Ghasem Hadadifar smartly controlled the ball on the edge of the area before sending a dipping volley that needed UAE keeper Majed Nasser to produce a diving save to push the ball away for a corner.

But it was the large contingent of Iranian fans that were cheering when their side finally broke the deadlock in the 70th minute.

Substitute Gholam Reza Rezaei crossed from the right and Mohammad Gholami first crashed a header against the crossbar before then smashing the rebound against the woodwork, but this time Afshin was on hand to stab home the loose ball.

Afshin’s joy lasted just two minutes though as he took out Nasser when attempting to challenge for the ball, injuring himself in the process before the midfielder was then shown his second yellow card as he was being stretchered off the pitch.

The UAE were also reduced to 10 men with 11 minutes remaining when Sebil was sent off for a second bookable offence after taking the legs of Hadadifar.

And Iran wrapped up the win when Nori swept home in the 83rd minute before Abbas knocked the ball into his own net when attempting to prevent Rezai going clean through on goal in stoppage time.

Mile Jedinak blasted Australia to the top of Group C and into the AFC Asian Cup quarter-finals with his second goal in as many games in a 1-0 win over Bahrain. Whilst in the other game in Group C Korea Republic beat India 4-1 at Al Gharafa Stadium to progress in second place.