AFC Champions League: Group-Stage Play Ends

Group-stage play in the AFC Champions League concluded on Wednesday with eight games.

GROUP A:

At Riyadh, Saudi Arabia:

Tae-Hee Nam scored what proved to be the winning goal  in the 32nd minute as Lekhwiya knocked off Al-Nassr 3-1 on the road and locked up the Group A title.

At Tehran, Iran:

Obid Djurabayev's own goal in the 72nd proved costly as Persepolis defeated visiting FC Bunyodkor 2-1 and clinched a berth in the knockout stage.

Final Group A Standings:

1. Lekhwiya SC (GP: 6; GD: +4; PTS; 13)
2. Persepolis FC (GP: 6; GD: 0; PTS: 12)  
3. Al-Nassr (GP: 6; GD: +1; PTS: 8) 
4. FC Bunyodkor (GP: 6; GD: -5; PTS: 1)

Lekhwiya SC and Persepolis FC advanced to the knockout stage.



GROUP B:

At Tashkent, Uzbekistan:

Mousa Al Shamri (6') and Abdullah Al Asta (PK-67') each scored a goal as Al-Shabab defeated Pakhtakor Tashkent 2-0 on the road, ruining the hosts' dream of advancing to the knockout stage.

At Al Ain, United Arab Emirates:

Omar Abdulrahman (63'), Asamoah Gyan (74'), and Jires Kembo-Ekoko (86') each scored a goal as Al-Ain dominated visiting Naft Tehran 3-0 as both club will play in the Round of 16.

Final Group B Standings:

1. Al-Ain FC (GP: 6; GD: +5; PTS: 12)
2. Naft Tehran FC (GP: 6; GD: 0; PTS: 8)
3. Pakhtakor Tashkent (GP: 6; GD: -2; PTS: 6)
4. Al-Shabab (GP: 6; GD: -3; PTS: 5)

Al-Ain and Naft Tehran advanced to the knockout stage.



GROUP E:

At Jeonju, South Korea:

Kim Hyung-il scored what proved to be the winning goal in the 51st minute as Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors dominated visiting Shandong Luneng Taishan 4-1 and sewed up a berth in the knockout stage.

At Thu Dau Mot, Vietnam:

Le Cong Vinh scored the only goal of the match in the 56th minute as Becamex Binh Du'o'ng averted a winless group-stage appearance with a 1-0 home win over Kashiwa Reysol, who still won Group E.

Final Group E Standings:

1. Kashiwa Reysol (GP: 6; GD: +5; PTS: 11)
2. Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors (GP: 6; GD: +8; PTS: 11)
3. Shandong Luneng Taishan (GP: 6; GD: -4; PTS: 7)
4. Becamex Bihn Du'o'ng (GP: 6; GD: -9; PTS: 4)

Kashiwa Reysol and Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors advanced to the knockout stage.  The former club had a win and a draw in two games against the latter club. 



GROUP F:

At Suita, Japan:

Lins Lima de Brito scored the winning goal in the 82nd minute as Gamba Osaka defeated visiting Seongnam FC 1-0 as both clubs advanced to the knockout stage.

At Buriram, Thailand:

Diogo Luis Santo delivered a hat trick (12', 38', 56') Buriram United destroyed visiting Guangzhou R&F 5-0.  The victory still wasn't enough as the hosts were still eliminated from the tournament.
Final Group F Standings:

1. Gamba Osaka (GP: 6; GD: +3; PTS: 10)
2. Seongnam FC (GP: 6; GD: +2; PTS: 10)
3. Buriram United FC (GP: 6; GD: +5; PTS: 10)
4. Guangzhou R&F (GP: 6; GD: -10; PTS: 4)

Gamba Osaka and Seongnam FC advanced to the knockout stage.  In group-stage games played involving the three clubs that were level on points at the top of the standings, Gamba Osaka had seven points, Seongnam FC six, and Buriram United four.