AFC Champions League: MatchDay # 5, Continued

Wednesday saw the continuation of group stage play in the Asian Champions League.

Group A:

At Qom, Iran:

Tarik El-Taib scored the game's lone goal (42') as Al-Hilal locked up a berth in the knockout stage with a 1-0 road win over Saba Battery FC.

At Tashkent, Uzbekistan:

Pakhtakor Tashkent, already bound for the Round of 16, got tallies from Zaynitdin Tadjyev (38') and Alexandar Geynrikh (58') as they defeated visiting Al-Ahli 2-1.

GROUP A STANDINGS:

1. Pakhtakor Tashkent* (GP: 5; GD: +6; PTS: 13)
2. Al-Hilal* (GP: 5; GD: +4; PTS: 11)
3. Saba Battery FC# (GP: 5; GD: -4; PTS: 2)
4. Al-Ahli# (GP: 5; GD: -6; PTS: 1)

*Advanced to the knockout stage
#Eliminated

Group B:

At Riyadh, Saudi Arabia:

Nasser Al-Shamrani's successful penalty kick (90'+3) was all the scoring as Al-Shabab locked up a knockout stage berth 1-0 at home over Al-Gharafa, eliminating the guests from contention and putting Iran's Persepolis in the Sweet Sixteen as well.

GROUP B STANDINGS:

1. Al-Shabab* (GP: 3; GD: +3; PTS: 7)
2. Persepolis FC* (GP: 3; GD: -2; PTS: 4)
3. Al-Gharafa# (GP: 4; GD: -1; PTS: 3)

*Advanced to the knockout stage
#Eliminated

NOTE: Sharjah FC (United Arab Emirates) withdrew from the tounament on May 4 and all results involving this club were declared null and void.

Group E:

At Nagoya, Japan:

Goals from Yoshizumi (14', 71'), Yuki Maki (22'), and Davi (58') lifted Nagoya Grampus to a 4-1 home fistbeating of Ulsan Hyundai Horang-i, locking up the Group E title in the process.

At Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia:

Late second-half goals from Sasho Petrovski (88') and Sean Rooney (90'+4) lifted Newcastle United Jets to a 2-1 comeback home win over Beijing Guoan, lifting the Australian club into second place in Group E and eliminating the Chinese club from knockout stage contention.

GROUP E STANDINGS:

1. Nagoya Grampus** (GP: 5; GD: +6; PTS: 11)
2. Newcastle United Jets (GP: 5; GD: 0; PTS: 7)
3. Ulsan Hyundai Horang-i (GP: 5; GD: -5; PTS: 6)
4. Beijing Guoan# (GP: 5; GD: -1; PTS: 4)

**Won Group E and advanced to the knockout stage
#Eliminated

Group F:

At Jinan, China:

Leandro's goal at 59 minutes provided all the scoring as Gamba Osaka laid claim to the Group F title with a 1-0 road win over Shandong Luneng.

GROUP F STANDINGS:

1. Gamba Osaka** (GP: 5; GD: +14; PTS: 15)
2. Shandong Luneng (GP: 5; GD: +3; PTS: 7)
3. FC Seoul (GP: 5; GD: +2; PTS: 7)
4. Srijwijaya FC# (GP: 5; GD: -19; PTS: 0)

**Won Group F and advanced to the knockout stage
#Eliminated