Mahmoud Khamis’ second-half strike was enough to claim a 1-0 win for Al Wahda against Syria league champions Al Karamah in their AFC Champions League play-off match at Khaled Ibn Al Waleed stadium on Saturday.

The AFC Champions League 2010 play-offs start on January 30. The two-phase play-offs will pit Al Karamah (Syria) against Al Wahda (UAE) in the West semi-final 1 while Churchill Brothers (India) have a bye in the semi-final 2 to the next stage and meet the winners of the Al Karamah-Al Wahda match in the final.

Adelaide United FC has announced its squad for the upcoming AFC Champions League 2010, which kicks off in under a month, the club submitting a list of 25 for its historic third appearance in the prestigious Asian club competition.

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

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

AFC on Monday sent a stern warning to clubs competing in the 2010 AFC Champions League on the issue of withdrawal from the competition.

UAE side Sharjah withdrew from last year’s tournament after four matches. And AFC is determined to prevent a repeat by imposing stiff penalties.

ACL 2009 champions Pohang Steelers have signed Brazilian striker Mota and wingback Ahn Tae-eun ahead of the 2010 AFC Champions League.

AFC Champions League ever-presents Pakhtakor have appointed Montenegro’s Miodrag Radulovic as their new head coach on Sunday.