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.

A late strike from Lee Dong-gook gave Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors a 1-0 win over Cerezo Osaka to put the Korea Republic team on top of Group G of the 2011 AFC Champions League.

With the game heading for goalless draw, Lee broke the deadlock 12 minutes from the end of an entertaining game to give the hosts a vital three points in a tight group. With two games remaining, three points separate Jeonbuk in first and Cerezo in third.

Jeonbuk attacked from the start and went close after just five minutes. Kim Dong-chan was released by Park Won-jae down the left side and the striker took the ball past his marker only to shoot straight at Cerezo goalkeeper Kim Jin-hyeon.

As the early exchanges calmed down, Jeonbuk began to put the visitors under pressure. The impressive Park was in action down the left again after 26 minutes and his cross from the left was headed just wide of Osaka’s left-hand post by Kim. Seconds later, Lee Dong-gook blasted over from just outside the area.

On the stroke of half-time, the J-League team came even closer to breaking the deadlock. A clever short corner wrong-footed the Jeonbuk defence. A shot from Inui was blocked and a subsequent attempt from Rodrigo was deflected into the grateful and unsuspecting arms of Yeom waiting on the goalline.

Both teams started the second-half as they did the first but the best chance of the game fell to the busy Inui 11 minutes after the restart. The goalscorer from Cerezo’s 1-0 win over Jeonbuk in Japan broke into the area and with just the goalkeeper to beat, tried to curl the ball home with the outside of his boot only to see his shot bounce harmlessly wide.

As full-time loomed into view, Cerezo were on top but it was Jeonbuk who broke the deadlock. Park pulled the ball back from the left byline to behind the penalty spot where Lee picked his spot to fire the ball past goalkeeper Kim.

Bunyodkor landed a decisive blow in the battle for Group C in the 2011 AFC Champions League after downing Piroozi 3-1 at the Azadi Stadium.

Anvar Rajabov put Bunyodkor in front with a thunderous finish on the hour mark before Hayrulla Karimov’s penalty nine minutes later, after substitute Alireza Mohamed had been sent off for hauling down Rajabov, doubled their advantage.

A horrible defensive mix-up allowed Shpejtim Arifi to pull a goal back with four minutes to go before keeper Ignatiy Nesterov pulled off a brilliant save to deny the same player in istoppage time. Bunyodkor immediately launched a counter-attack and Victor Karpenko scored the third goal.

Saman Aghazamani headed off the line following a corner after 21 minutes and Piroozi had a good chance four minutes from the break when a cross from deep was flicked on to Hadi Norozi. The forward held the ball up before laying it off to Mohammad Nori but he dragged a left-foot shot just beyond the far post.

Only a desperate last-ditch challenge prevented Kamoliddin Murzoev from adding a second before Bunyodkor did extend their lead in the 69th minute.

Azizbek Haydarov’s pass set Rajabov free down the left and as he drove into the box, the forward was pulled back by Mohamed, who was sent-off.

Haghighi managed to get his fingers to Karimov’s penalty and push it onto the post but unfortunately for the Piroozi keeper, it came back off his head and into the net.

Another forceful Rajabov run ended with the striker flashing a shot just wide as the Piroozi defence backed off before Haghighi saved Sasa Dordovic’s header.

Bunyodkor then gifted Piroozi a way back into the game with four minutes to go. An innocuous ball trickling towards the Uzbeks’ goal posed no threat but a communication mix-up between Nesterov and his defender allowed Arifi to slide in and score.

His anger was exacerbated seconds later when Bunyodkor immediately launched a counter-attack and with players queuing up to score, Karpenko calmly applied the finish.

Saudi Arabia’s Al Hilal rallied from a two-goal deficit to pull off an incredible 3-2 victory over hosts Al Jazira in Wednesday’s 2011 AFC Champions League Group A clash.

Al Jazira stunned the Saudi giants with two quick goals towards the end of the first-half but Al Hilal regained their composure and pulled off a fine win to move a step closer to a second-round place with nine points from four games, the same as Iranian side Sepahan.

The first 10 minutes of the match were played at a frenetic pace with the Saudi side building some attractive moves but they failed to match their approach work and hardly tested stand in keeper Khaled Eisa.

While Al Hilal impressed with their bulid-up, Al Jazira also had a few attempts and in the 24th minute an Ahmed Jumaa cross was thwarted just before Ali Mabkhout could reach it before Mabkhout tried a fine overhead volley which went wide.

The home fans were then delirious with joy as Al Jazira struck twice within a space of two minutes on the stroke of half-time.

The first came from a brilliant move initiated by defender Juma Abdullah, who ran down the left flank and then pulled the ball back for Jumaa and he crossed to Mabkhout. Jumaa then raced into the box to receive the ball back from Abdullah Qasem and tapped it across to Mabkhout who slammed the ball through Al Hilal goalkeeper Hasan Al Otaibi’s legs for the lead.

Al Jazira struck again from the restart when Qasem intercepted a backpass from Abdullah Al Zori to Mirel Radoi and went on to keep his cool to beat the advancing Al Otaibi.

Al Hilal then struck a purple patch and scored three goals in 20 minutes. It began in the 56th minute with Al Qahtani’s free-kick deflecting off a defender’s leg and flew into the top-left corner, giving no chance to Eisa, before the 2007 AFC Player of the Year did well to squeeze home between the goalkeeper and the post for the equaliser eight minutes later.

The winner came in the 74th minute after Eisa saved a Radoi free-kick and from the resultant corner kick, Osama Hawsawi jumped for the ball and substitute Mohammed Al Menhali felled the airborne Saudi player to give away a penalty. This time Eisa was beaten by Radoi and Al Hilal heaved a sigh of relief.

Amara Diane’s first-half goal saw Al Gharafa end Sepahan’s perfect record in the 2011 AFC Champions League and boost their flagging hopes of place in the knockout stage.

Diane struck in the 19th minute of the Group A clash at Al Gharafa Stadium and the hosts could even afford to see Juninho miss a penalty in the second-half as they collected their first win of the campaign and inflicted Sepahan’s first defeat in the process.

In the 32nd minute, Sepahan captain Moharram Navidkia almost scored direct from a corner but the ball was helped over the crossbar to safety by Burhan.

The second period began at ferocious pace as the visiting side mounted a series of attacks to try and find an equaliser but it was Al Gharafa who nearly scored a second time as Ahmed Fares’ fierce shot from close range was blocked by keeper Rahmati.

Juninho then exhibited great calm under pressure when he stole the ball from the feet of Toure with the striker set to pull the trigger from six yards out.

In the 73rd minute, Sepahan’s Mohsen Bengar curled in a swinging free-kick from distance that team-mate Enyati diverted just too high.

Al Ittihad became the first side to book their place in the last 16 of the 2011 AFC Champions League as a goalless draw with Al Wahda at Prince Abdullah Al Faisal Stadium gave them the point they needed to ensure they can finish no lower than second in Group C.

The result means the Saudis retain top spot with ten points, five points ahead of closest challengers Bunyodkor following the Uzbeks’ shock 3-1 win over Piroozi in Tehran. Al Wahda move ahead of the Iranians in third on three points with two matches left to play.

Saleh Al Saqri had the game’s first chance after just four minutes when he pounced on a loose ball inside the box and fired a fierce drive that Al Wahda keeper Mutaz Abdulla did well to beat away.

Abdelmalik Ziaya then headed Mohammed Noor’s cross over the bar at the far post nine minutes later before Al Wahda striker Ismaeil Matar shot from distance in the 26th minute but keeper Mabrouk Zaid gathered easily.

The second-half followed a similar pattern to the first in that Al Ittihad controlled proceedings but could not break down the resilient visitors.

Ziaya almost sneaked through in the 66th minute but Abdulla did enough to thwart the forward while at the other end, Hugo drove forward and unleashed a fierce strike from distance that flashed just past Zaid’s post.

Mohamed Al Shehhi led a rare foray forward for Al Wahda in the 77th minute when he cut inside a defender but his low shot was well held by Zaid.

Yuzo Tashiro’s goal saw Kashima Antlers rescue a 1-1 draw with Suwon Samsung Bluewings in Group H of the 2011 AFC Champions League at the National Stadium in Tokyo.

Suwon went ahead in the 48th minute through Yeom Ki-hoon’s free-kick but Tashiro leveled for Kashima in the 55th minute.

Playing at the National Stadium due to damage to Kashima’s home ground following last month’s earthquake, the top two teams in Group H battled hard throughout the contest.

Their first notable opening came in the 26th minute when Takuya Nozawa fired narrowly wide from just outside the box.

Suwon, who were held to a 1-1 draw in the first game in Korea two weeks ago, created a couple of chances late in the first-half through Ha Tae-goon and Yeom on the counter but Ha’s effort was denied by Kashima goalkeeper Hitoshi Sogahata while Yeom’s shot was off target.

The game then came alive soon after the break.

Suwon won a free-kick after Park Jong-jin, on for forward Choi Sung-kuk, was fouled just outside the box and Yeom found the right corner of the net with a left-footed effort to give the visitors the lead.

Kashima responded quickly and seven minutes later they leveled the scores, also from a set piece. Midfielder Takeshi Aoki was brought down outside the box on the right and Nozawa took the free-kick, delivering a cross towards substitute Yasushi Endo at the far post. The young midfielder knocked the ball to forward Tashiro, who tapped in from close range.

Goals from Mu Kanazaki and Kensuke Nagai gave Nagoya Grampus a 2-0 win at FC Seoul to put the Japanese champions on top of Group F in the 2011 AFC Champions League.

After Kanazaki’s first-half opener, the Korea Republic title-holders threw everything at the visitors for much of an entertaining match but a defensive blunder late in the game allowed Nagai to make sure of a valuable three points.

In the 26th minute, the Japanese team were ahead. A ball was played behind the defence for Ogawa to shoot from just outside the six-yard box. Goalkeeper Kim Yong-dae blocked the initial shot but could do little as Kanazaki was first to the loose ball and hammered it into the net from close range.

After the setback, Seoul began to look more dangerous. On the half-hour, Narazaki was struggling once again to keep out a long-range Server Djeparov shot but ultimately managed to keep the Korea Republic team at bay.

FC Seoul had a great chance just before the break. Damjanovic headed the ball back to Molina just inside the area and the former Colombia international had time to pick his spot but dragged his low shot wide of the Nagoya left-hand post.

In the second-half, Seoul continued to have the lion’s share of possession and shots but were unable to find the end product. However just when Seoul’s pressure looked set to tell, a defensive blunder allowed Nagoya to seal the win with eight minutes remaining.

Kim Tae-hwan’s backpass in the direction of the goalkeeper was never going to reach its intended target and Nagai nipped in to slide the ball into an empty net to end the game.

A solitary goal from Esmaeil Farhadi gave Zob Ahan a 1-0 win over Al Rayyan at the Foolad Shahr Stadium to send last season’s runners-up top of 2011 AFC Champions League Group D and on the verge of a place in the last 16.

The hosts’ first chance was fired over the bar by Igor Castro in the 11th minute and home keeper Shahab Gordan denied Al Rayyan an opener three minutes later. Rodrigo Tabata fired a free-kick into Zob Ahan’s six-yard box which eluded his team-mates but looked set to curl straight in only for Gordan to react well and keep out his effort.

Zob Ahan started to take control of the game and Igor Castro set up Mehdi Rajabzadeh, whose side-footed strike flew wide, before Mahini’s long-range effort was gathered by Soud Al Hajiri in the Rayyan goal.

Their efforts were rewarded a minute later when Mahini ran onto a long ball and dummied a defender before setting up Farhadi, who fired past the keeper into the far corner.

Zob Ahan picked up where they left off at the start of the second half, Jalal Rafkhaei’s shot unsuccessful before defender Mohammad Hosseini tested Al Hajiri, who turned the ball away for a corner.

But Gordan had to be alert at the other end to kick away a dangerous cross from before an Al Rayyan attacker could get a touch.

Rodrigo’s effort from the edge of the box was gathered by Gordan as the away side pressed for an equaliser, and Zob Ahan failed to make the game safe when Al Hajiri raced out to intercept Farhadi’s through ball.

Rodrigo saw another long-range effort deflected over before Al Hajiri kept out Khalatbari’s free-kick.

Egor Krimets’ header two minutes from time breathed new life into Pakhtakor’s 2011 AFC Champions League campaign with a 2-1 win over Esteghlal at Pakhtakor Stadium.

Arash Borhani had cancelled out Stanislav Andreev’s superb 28th minute opener in first-half stoppage-time but with the Group B game seemingly heading for a draw following a low-key second-half, Hanif Omranzadeh was sent-off for two bookable offences and from the resulting free-kick, Krimets struck to haul Pakhtakor level with the Iranians on four points.

It was a game that Pakhtakor needed to win and they were first to threaten after two minutes when Esteghlal keeper Mohammad Mohammadi had to tip Sherzodbek Karimov’s dipping cross behind.

Pakhtakor’s young keeper was involved in all of the early action and in the 20th minute palmed the ball over the bar after Omranzadeh’s long throw had flicked off a Pakhtakor defender before repeating the trick to deny a header from the following corner.

Pakhtakor then took the lead in the 28th minute in stunning fashion. A cross picked out Andreev unmarked on the edge of the box and although his first-time volley hit Pejman Montazeri, the striker displayed exquisite technique to hook the rebound – again on the volley – over his shoulder and in off the far post with Mohammadi reduced to a mere spectator.

Esteghlal drew level in first-half stoppage time when Hawar Mohammed’s beautiful flick released Javad Shirzadeh down the left and his cross towards the near post was cleverly guided past Ribkin from close range by Borhani.

The second-half had few chances but Ribkin almost gifted Esteghlal a second in the 53rd minute when he needlessly came charging off his line. Borhani easily eluded the Pakhtakor keeper and only a brilliant block by Akbarjon Ismatullaev saved a certain goal.

As the second half drew to a close Omranzadeh was sent-off with two minutes to go and the Esteghlal defence failed to pick up Krimets at the set-piece, allowing the defender to nod home unmarked from inside the six-yard box.

An excellent last-gasp winner from Mark Bridge kept Sydney FC’s hopes of reaching the knockout stage of the 2011 AFC Champions League well and truly alive after they secured a hard-fought 3-2 victory over Shanghai Shenhua at Shanghai Hongkou Stadium.

Bruno Cazarine struck twice as the Sky Blues picked up their first win in the Group H campaign, though they had to twice come back from one goal down before Bridge’s decisive intervention in stoppage time.

Jiang Jiajun put the hosts ahead after only eight minutes before Cazarine cancelled out the strike during first-half stoppage time.

An own goal from Scott Jamieson saw Shanghai restore their lead seven minutes after the break but Cazarine hauled the hosts back a minute before the hour mark with a composed effort. Bridge then gave the visitors all three points with a spectacular volley.

The Sky Blues narrowed the gap between pacesetters Kashima Antlers and Suwon Samsung Samsung Bluewings to only one point with two games to go after the two sides played out a 1-1 draw in Tokyo.

Shanghai had the first chance after four minutes when Colombian striker Duvier Riascos broke clear down the right before sending a low cross for Jiang Jiajun to stab wide from 10 yards.

The hosts took the lead soon after when Jiang Kun smartly clipped a free-kick from the left towards the unmarked Jiang Jiajun, who cut into the box before steering the ball past keeper Liam Reddy.

Bridge created the first meaningful action for the visitors with a long-range effort after 15 minutes but it flew wide.

On the stroke of half-hour mark, Shannon Cole picked out Matthew Jurman with a well-weighted free-kick only for the defender to head the ball over the frame of the goal.

However, Sydney equalised In the dying minutes of the first period. Cole delivered a cross into the path of Cazarine and he calmly finished past the onrushing Qiu Shengjiong with just the Shanghai keeper to beat.

The hosts immediately forged down the other end and Luis Salmeron set-up Riascos with a well-timed pass but the Colombian powered the ball over from 15 yards.

Riascos threatened Reddy with a 25-yard curling shot shortly after the break but his effort was off target.

Shanghai then went in front for a second time as Jiang Kun fired a cross across the face of goal and Jamieson headed the ball past Reddy into his own net under pressure from Salmeron.

The visitors levelled seven minutes later when Bridge headed Terry McFlynn’s cross to Cazarine, who smartly chested the ball down before beating Qiu with an excellent finish.
But with the game seemingly heading for a draw, Bridge struck a dramatic winner, volleying Dimitri Petratos’ header into the bottom corner to give Sydney three much-needed points.

Emirates stunned Al Shabab and blew Group D of the 2011 AFC Champions League wide open with a 2-1 victory at Emirates Club Stadium.

Hadj Bougueche scored twice as the second-tier UAE club recorded their second victory in this season’s competition to move ahead of Al Shabab – who beat them 4-1 two weeks ago in Saudi Arabia – and into second the table to give themselves every chance of reaching the last 16.

Substitute Abdulaziz Saran pulled a goal back just before the interval before both sides were reduced to 10 men with 15 minutes to go when the striker and Mustafa Saaed saw red amid some disgraceful scenes.

Emirates were without Nabil Daoudi as the talismanic striker started on the bench and Al Shabab had a great chance to land an early blow but Nassir Al Shamrani was unable to control a cross as the ball bounced up and hit him in the chest and ended up in keeper Ahmed Al Shaji’s hands.

Camacho showed nice feet but again fired straight at Al Shaji before Emirates took the lead in the 25th minute. Amer Deeb embarked on a driving run before feeding Bougueche on the left side of the box with a perfectly-weighted pass and his clinical finish was too good for Abdullah.

Emirates then doubled their lead five minutes from half-time. Kerkar swung in a corner from the right towards the near post and Bougueche emerged from a group of Al Shabab defenders to claim the final touch as the ball ended up in the back of the net, although replays suggest it may have come off an Al Shabab defender.

The visitors pulled a goal back a minute before the break in fortuitous fashion when Camacho’s shot hit Saran and then fell into his path, allowing the forward to slot home.

Al Shabab dominated almost the entire second-half but could not make the breakthrough they needed.

A brilliant strike by youngster Omar Abdulrahman helped hosts Al Ain beat China’s Hangzhou Greentown 1-0 and revives their chances of reaching the knockout stage of the 2011 AFC Champions League.

Victory for the inaugural AFC Champions League winners moved them level with Hangzhou and three points adrift of joint leaders FC Seoul and Nagoya Grampus to give Group F a wide open look with two rounds of matches to play.

Al Ain started off on the right note with their midfield four of Elias, Omar Abdulrahman, Ramy Yaslam and Ibrahima Keita controlling proceedings.

Hangzhou’s first attempt came in the 29th minute when the muscular Honduran Luis Ramirez worked his way into the box, dribbled past a defender but before he could unleash his shot Mussalem Fayez thwarted him.

Al Ain could have gone ahead in the 38th minute when an Elias free-kick deflected into the path of Mohammed Ayed but the Al Ain defender failed to score from the rebound.

Al Ain launched a swift counter-attack and after an exchange of passes, Al Waheebi crossed to Abdulrahman on the left and the latter unleashed a first-time shot that flew into the far corner.

Badea missed another chance to extend the lead in the 69th minute when, with the goalkeeper having been drawn out of position by Abdulrahman, the former fired over with an empty goal at his mercy.

FT – MELB VICTORY (AUS) v TIANJIN TEDA (CHN) (2 – 1)
FT – GAMBA OSAKA (JPN) v JEJU UNITED (KOR) (3 – 1)
FT – JEONBUK HYD MOTORS (KOR) v CEREZO OSAKA (JPN) (1 – 0)
FT -  SHANDONG LNG FC (CHN) v AREMA MALANG (IDN) (5 – 0)

FT – AL GHARAFA (QAT) v SEPAHAN (IRN) (1 – 0)
FT – AL JAZIRA (UAE) v AL HILAL (KSA) (2 – 3)
FT – PIROOZI ATHLETIC (IRN) v BUNYODKOR (UZB) (1 – 3)
FT – AL ITTIHAD (KSA) v AL WAHDA (UAE) (0 – 0)

FT - AL NASSR (KSA) v AL SADD (QAT) (1- 1)
FT – FC SEOUL (KOR) v NAGOYA GRAMPUS (JPN) (0 – 2)
FT – SHANGHAI SHENHUA (CHN) v SYDNEY FC (AUS) (2 – 3)
FT – KASHIMA ANTLERS (JPN) v SUWON BLUEWINGS (KOR) (1 -1)
FT – AL AIN (UAE) v HANGZHOU GREETN (CHN) (1 – 0)
FT – EMIRATES (UAE) v AL SHABAB (KSA) (2 – 1)
FT – ZOBAHAN (IRN) v AL RAYYAN (QAT) (1- 0)
FT – PAKHTAKOR (UZB) v ESTEGHLAL (IRN) (2 – 1)

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.

Match Day 4 Tuesday of the AFC Champions League 2010 resulted in some upsets and wake up calls for many teams that had a easy road so far.

Group B

Zob Ahan have managed 2 major upsets in a matter of weeks against the Uzbek aristocrats Bunyodkor on Tuesday.

They followed up their MD3 3-0 home victory with a 1-0 win that takes them to the top of the table with 10 points and sends Bunyodkor tumbling down to third, with six points.

Al Ittihad, of Saudi Arabia, move to second on seven points after their 4-0 victory over bottom side Al Wahda, of UAE.

Mohammad Khalatbari took advantage of a goalkeeping error to score Zob Ahan’s winner in the first half as Bunyodkor finished the match with 10 men after their Brazilian star Rivaldo was sent off for a high challenge.

Two-time champions Al Ittihad were in fine form at home with Saud Kariri scoring twice and Abdelmalik Ziaya and Sultan Al Numare also finding the net.

Group D

Mes Kerman crushed the hopes of Al Sadd by sealing their last 16 place on MD4. Mes avenged their defeat from last week by winning 3-1.

After Khalfan Ibrahim gave Al Sadd the lead after seven minutes, Mes came storming back with goals from Brazilian Edinho, Ali Samareh and Paulo Zaltron.

Korean international Lee Young-pyo was Hilal’s hero as he scored the winner in injury time in Dubai. Yasser Al Qahtani and Christian Wilhelmsson had earlier given Hilal a 2-0 lead after only 16 minutes before the home side fought back through Ahmed Khalil and Cesar to make it 2-2.

Group F

Kashima Antlers have qualified for the round of 16 after beating Indonesia’s Persipura Jayapura 3-1.

Jeonbuk, are also mathematically guaranteed a place in the next round.

All goals in the Kashima-Persipura match came in the first half. Yasushi Endo gave Kashima the lead against a side who had conceded 14 in their previous two matches.

Yustina Pae equalised for Persipura for their second goal of the competition before Shinzo Korogi and Atsuto Uchida made it safe for the Antlers.

Korean national striker Lee Dong-gook scored a fine free-kick in the second half to give Jeonbuk their second straight victory over Changchun, in Jeonju.

Group H

Sanfrecce Hiroshima, upset group leaders Adelaide United’s 1-0 at the Big Arch. The first win  came courtesy of Hisato Sato’s goal at the stroke of half-time.

Adelaide now share first position with defending champions Pohang Steelers, who beat China’s Shandong Luneng 2-1 away.

Sanfrecce and Shandong have three points each.

Pohang needed a late goal from Kim Tae-su to beat Shandong. The visitors had taken the lead six minutes into the second half through Kim Jae-sung but substitute Li Jinyu equalised in the 73rd minute before Tae-su hit the winner five minutes from time.

FT – MELBOURNE VICTORY (AUS) vs KAWASAKI FRONTALE (JPN) (1 -0)
FT -  GAMBA OSAKA (JPN) vs SINGAPORE ARMED FORCES (SIN) (3 – 0)
FT -  SUWON SAMSUNG BLUEWINGS (KOR) vs HENAN JIANYE (CHN) (2 – 0)
FT -  BEIJING GUOAN (CHN) vs SEONGNAM ILHWA FC (KOR) (0 – 1)
FT – FOOLAD MOBAREKEH SEPAHAN (IRN) vs PAKHTAKOR (UZB) (2 – 0)
FT – AL GHARAFA (QAT) vs ESTEGHLAL (IRN) (1 – 1)
FT – AL JAZIRA (UAE) vs AL AHLI (KSA) (0 – 2)
Ft -  AL SHABAB (KSA) vs AL AIN (UAE) (3 – 2)

FT – PERSIPURA JAYAPURA (IDN) vs KASHIMA ANTLERS (JPN) (1 – 3)
FT -  JEONBUK MOTORS (KOR) vs CHANGCHUN YATAI FC (CHN) (1 – 0)
FT -  SANFRECCE HIROSHIMA (JPN) vs ADELAIDE UNITED (AUS) (1 – 0)
FT – SHANDONG LUNENG FC (CHN) vs POHANG STEELERS (KOR) (1 – 2)
FT -  BUNYODKOR (UZB) vs ZOBAHAN (IRN) ( 0 – 1)
FT – AL AHLI (UAE) vs AL HILAL (KSA) (2 – 3)
FT -  MES KERMAN (IRN) vs AL SADD (QAT) (3 – 1)
FT -  AL ITTIHAD (KSA) vs AL WAHDA (UAE) (4 – 0)

You didn’t have to wait long for Match Day 4. AFC Champions League is back after just one week this time round and there is plenty to play for once again as we have now just passed the half way mark of the Group stage. There are several teams that are ready to qualify for the knockout round. These include: Al Hilal (Saudi Arabia, Group D), Al Sadd (Qatar, Group D), Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma (Korea Republic, Group E), Kashima Antlers (Japan, Group F), Jeonbuk Motors (Korea Republic, Group F), Suwon Bluewings (Korea Republic, Group G), Adelaide United (Australia, Group H) and defending champions Pohang Steelers (Korea Republic, Group H).

Al Hilal can guarantee their place in the last 16 by beating Al Ahli, of UAE, giving them 10 points. Qatar’s Al Sadd could join them by beating Iran’s Mes Kerman and moving up to nine points.

Although, Mes would still have a mathematical chance of catching Sadd over the last two matches, the Qataris have got a much better head-to-head record.

Korea’s Seongnam are aiming for their fourth straight win, this time against China’s Beijing Guoan. If successful they would move into the first knockout round.

In Group F, should Kashima Antlers and Jeonbuk Motors both win, they will both progress into the knockout stage. Kashima play Persipura Jayapura. Whilst Jeonbuk meet Chinese side Changchun at home.

Suwon Bluewings, of Korea Republic, can book their place in the last 16 if they win against Henan Jianye, and Singapore Armed Forces fail to beat Gamba Osaka.

The Koreans take on the Chinese team at home with victory taking them to 10 points. Victory or a draw for Japan’s Gamba would mean Suwon can finish no lower than second in the table.

Australian side Adelaide United will be looking to make 4 oout of 4 if they can seal another win over Sanfrecce Hiroshima. Whilst defending champions Pohang Steelers play Shandong Luneng.

Gamba Osaka booked their place in the second round of the Asian Champions League on Tuesday.

The defending champions won 3-0 playing away at Sriwijaya’s home ground to move onto 12 points in Group F.

The Kansai club are seven points clear of FC Seoul in third and are safely in the last 16.

In-form Brazilian striker Leandro opened the scoring in Palembang and subsequent goals from Hayato Sasaski and Cho Jae-jin sealed the win.

Seoul dominated their clash against Shandong Luneng and took the lead through a Park Yong-ho header midway through the first half.

Seoul missed many chances and eventually paid for their poor finishing by a late goal ten minutes from time by Venezuelan defender Alejandro Cichero.

J-League side Kawasaki Frontale have confirmed their place in the knockout stages of the 2009 Asian Champions League with a 2-1 home victory over the Central Coast Mariners.

In second place, Pohang Steelers failed to impress this time round and could only manage a scoreless draw away against Tianjin Teda.

That result means Takashi Sekizuka’s men will finish within the top two of their group, after edging out the Central Coast Mariners in Japan.

Two weeks ago the Japanese side thumped the Mariners in Gosford 5-0. This time round, Central Coast was more organised and played to their strengths.

They actually looked more likely to win the game during an intriguing second half during which Kawasaki opened the scoring courtesy of a goalkeeping error just after half-time.

Danny Vukovic spilled the ball into the path of Juninho, the Brazilian finishing from close range, but Kawasaki failed to press home their advantage as they had done on their last ACL outing.

That allowed Australia international Matt Simon to equalize with a fine finish, sparking a period of concerted attacking pressure from the visitors.

However, it was Kawasaki who again came out on top courtesy of an 82nd minute header by defender Shuhei Terada.

Tianjin Teda meanwhile defied their underdogs tag, holding K-League side Pohang Steelers to a 0-0 draw in China.

Prior to the match, Tianjin manager Zuo Shusheng had admitted that Pohang were a “superior” side but called on his own team to show their battling qualities.

Through a gutsy performance, Tianjin managed to keep themselves in the race for second spot and a place in the knockout stages.

With two matches remaining, they are four points away from the Pohang Steelers and are on equal points with the Mariners, whom they will face in Australia before the stage’s end.

Pohang remain on six points, four behind group leaders Kawasaki.