Japanese champions Kashima Antlers got their Asian Champions League back on track with a 2-0 win over Shanghai Shenhua while Suwon Samsung Bluewings moved three points clear at the top with a comfortable victory over Singapore Armed Forces by the same scoreline.
After their 4-1 defeat in Suwon in the opening game, Kashima couldn’t afford another slip-up.
Takuya Nozaqa put the hosts ahead just before the break with a smart finish.
Shanghai, who had their chances, had a tough task made much more difficult midway through the second half when Du Wei was …

J-League club Kawasaki Frontale lead Asian Champions League Group H by two points after they managed a 1-1 draw away against the Pohang Steelers.
A-League outfit the Central Coast Mariners meanwhile built upon their opening round scoreless draw at home to Pohang, almost snatching a surprise victory away against Tianjin Teda but having to be content with a 2-2 scoreline.
In Korea, Kim Jae-Sung opened the scoring for Pohang after just twelve minutes before Japan veteran Shuhei Terada equalized for the visitors (24’).
The 1-1 draw sees Takashi Sekizuka’s side hold onto their …

Two-time Asian Champions Al Ittihad moved three points clear at the top of Group C with an impressive 3-1 win at Umm Salal of Qatar.
That makes it two out of two for the Saudi Arabians, who had to come from behind. Ibrahim N’Diaye put the hosts ahead on the half-hour but defender Hamad Al Montashari equalised for Al Ittihad just before the break.
Renato put the visitors ahead after 56 minutes and six minutes later, Hicham Aboucherouane sealed the win for the 2004 and 2005 champions.
Iran’s Esteghlal will certainly see their …

The Newcastle Jets moved to within one point of the Group E leaders with a first Asian Champions League victory over K-League side Ulsan Hyundai on Tuesday evening, as Beijing Guoan played out a scoreless draw away against Nagoya Grampus.
Japanese side Nagoya opened up their campaign with a 3-1 win away against Hyundai last week but were held at home by a Beijing outfit who impressed in their 2-0 win over the Newcastle Jets.
The two sides now sit at the top of Group E and are favourites to qualify, though …

Pahktakor stay on top after a 1-1 draw at home to Al Hilal of Saudi Arabia.
The Uzbek hosts had to come from a goal down to earn their point.
Romanian international Mirel Radoi put the visitors one goal to the good ten minutes after the restart from the penalty spot.
Just two minutes later however, the Central Asians were back on level terms.
Farhod Tadjiyev was the hero for the hosts as he scored the goal that keeps them in pole position.
Al Hilal are in second with two points and are ahead of …

South Korean champions Suwon Samsung Bluewings stunned their Japanese counterparts Kashima Antlers with a 4-1 win in the opening match in Group G of the Asian Champions League.
Two goals late in the first half put Suwon in control and Kashima never looked like getting back into the game.
Former Chinese international defender Li Weifeng fired home his first goal for the Korean club just before the break and there was still enough time for Brazilian striker Eduardo to volley home a fine second.
Suwon never relinquished their grip on the game and …

2008 Asian Champions League semi-finalists Bunyodkor defeated Saudi Arabia’s Al Ittifaq 2-1 in the opening Group D match of the 2009 version of the continential competition.
Anvarjon Soliev was the star for the Uzbek champions grabbing both goals to give the hosts the three points.
The Uzbekistan international headed home just before the half-hour from a Server Djeparov corner.
Two minutes after the break, a Rivaldo cross was headed back across goal by Edson Ramos and Soliev was on hand to nod in his second of the night.
Saleh Bashar headed one back for …

Saudi Arabia’s Al-Ittihad needed an injury-time winner from Moroccan striker Hicham Aboucherouane to defeat Esteghlal 2-1 in Group C of the Asian Champions League.
The two-time Asian champions had been a goal behind at home to the Iranian giants.
It all happened late in the game.
With 13 minutes remaining, Arash Borhani put the visitors ahead in Jeddah with a fine header.
Just three minutes later, Egyptian striker Emad Motaeb levelled for the hosts and with seconds remaining, Aboucherouane fired home an unstoppable shot from 30 yards.
There was an injury-time winner in Group C’s …