AFC Champions League

The final week of AFC Champions League group-stage play commenced on Tuesday with eight games.

GROUP C:

At Ahvaz, Iran:

In what was basically a "who cares?" game, Bahman Jahantigh scored the contest's only goal in the 89th minute as Foolad FC defeated visiting Lokomotiv Tashkent 1-0.

At Riyadh, Saudi Arabia:

In a match involving two clubs that had already clinched berths in the knockout stage, Mohammed Kasola's own goal in the 69th minute proved to be the game winner (or loser?) as Al-Hilal from Saudi Arabia defeated visiting Al-Sadd 2-1 and locked up top spot in Group C.

Group C Standings:

1. Al-Hilal (Saudi Arabia) (GP: 6 GD: +5; PTS: 15) 
2. Al-Sadd (GP: 6; GD: +3; PTS: 10)
3. Foolad FC (GP: 6; GD: -2; PTS: 6)
4. Lokomotiv Tashkent (GP: 6; GD: -3; PTS: 4)


Al-Hilal and Al-Sadd advanced to the knockout stage.



GROUP D:

At Dubai, United Arab Emirates:

Ahmed Khalil scored twice in the final quarter-hour (78', 88') as Al-Ahli Dubai came from behind to upend visiting Tractor Sazi 3-2 and pick off a berth in the knockout stage.

At Qarshi, Uzbekistan:

Nasaf Qarshi and visiting Al-Ahli SC from Saudi Arabia battled to a 0-0 stalemate, which eliminated the Uzbek club from the tournament.

Group D Standings:

1. Al-Ahli (Saudi Arabia) (GP: 6; GD: +4; PTS: 12)
2. Al-Ahli Dubai FC (GP: 6; GD: 0; PTS: 8)
3. Nasaf Qarshi (GP: 6; GD: 0; PTS: 0)
4. Tractor Sazi FC (GP: 6; GD: -4; PTS: 4)

Al-Ahli of Saudi Arabia and Al-Ahli Dubai of the United Arab Emirates (who had a win and a draw against Nasaf Qarshi) advanced to the knockout stage.



GROUP G:

At Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia:

Yuki Muto scored the winning goal in the 57th minute as Urawa Red Diamonds closed out tournament play with a 2-1 road win over the Brisbane Roar, ending any hope of the Australian club advancing to the knockout stage.

At Suwon, South Korea:

Suwon Samsung Bluewings and visiting Beijing Guoan battled to a 1-1 draw as both clubs will be playing in the knockout stage with the Chinese club finishing atop the Group G standings.  Leo Itaperuna's equalizer in the 27th minutes enabled the hosts to get a share of the spoils for their trouble.  Dejan Damjanovic scored for the visitors in the 25th minute.

Final Group G Standings:

1. Beijing Guoan FC (GP: 6; GD: +3; PTS: 11)
2. Suwon Samsung Bluewings (GP: 6; GD: +3; PTS: 11)
3. Brisbane Roar (GP: 6; GD: -2; PTS: 7)
4. Urawa Red Diamonds (GP: 6; GD: -4; PTS: 4)

Beijing Guoan and Suwon Samsung Bluewings advanced to the knockout stage.  The Chinese club had a win and a draw in two games against the South Korean club.



GROUP H:

At Guangzhou, China:

Mark Bridge (33') and Tomi Juric (90'+3) each scored a goal as the Western Sydney Wanderers blanked Guangzhou Evergrande Taobao, who had already locked up top spot in Group H.  Despite the win, the visiting Australian club, thanks to Seoul FC's victory, were eliminated from the tournament.

At Kashima, Japan:

Mauricio Molina scored the winning goal in the opening minute of second-half stoppage time as FC Seoul defeated Kashima Antlers 3-2 on the road, locking up a berth in the knockout stage in the process and ousted the Japanese club (and the Western Sydney Wanderers as well) from the tournament.

Final Group H Standings:

1. Guangzhou Evergrande Taobao FC (GP: 6; GD: 0; PTS: 10)
2. FC Seoul (GP: 6; GD: +1; PTS: 9)
3. Western Sydney Wanderers (GP: 6; GD: +2; PTS: 8)
4. Kashima Antlers (GP: 6; GD: -3; PTS: 6)

Guangzhou Evergrande Taobao and FC Seoul advanced to the knockout stage.