AFC Champions League: Group Stage Play Concludes

Group stage play in the AFC Champions League, the biggest club competition in Asia, concluded with eight games on Wednesday.

Group A:

At Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates:

Al Jazira, already eliminated from the tournament, still managed to knock off group winners Esteghlal FC 2-1.  Saleh Basheer (51') and Tariq Ahmed (53') each tallied once early in the second half for the club from the Emirates. 

At Jeddah, Saudi Arabia:

Al-Gharafa, with Nasser Mubarak scoring at the 90-minute mark for the only goal of the match, defeated hosts Al-Ahli 1-0.


FINAL GROUP A STANDINGS:

1. Al-Gharafa (GP: 6; GD: +2; PTS: 13)
2. Esteghlal FC (GP: 6; GD: +4; PTS: 11)
3. Al-Ahli (GP: 6; GD: +2; PTS: 6)
4. Al-Jazira (GP: 6; GD: -8; PTS: 4)


Al-Gharafa and Esteghlal FC advanced to the knockout stage.


Group B:


At Tashkent, Uzbekistan:


Denilson Nascimento scored twice (32', 57') as FC Bunyodkor smothered visiting Al-Wahda 4-1 and overtook Al-Ittihad to gain a berth in the knockout stage.


At Isfahan, Iran:


Mohamadreza Khalatbari's goal at 56 minutes was the only goal of the match as FC Zob Ahan finished atop Group B and eliminated visiting Al-Ittihad in the process with a 1-0 win.


FINAL GROUP B STANDINGS:


1. FC Zob Ahan (GP: 6; GD: +5; PTS: 13)
2. FC Bunyodkor (GP: 6; GD: +3; PTS: 10)
3. Al-Ittihad (GP: 6; GD: +2; PTS: 8)
4. Al-Wahda (GP: 6; GD: -10; PTS: 3)

FC Zob Ahan and FC Bunyodkor advanced to the knockout stage.


Group E:


At Seongnam, South Korea:


Jeon Kwang-Jin (27'), Namgung Do (72'), and Jo Jae-Cheol (83') each scored once as Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma defeated Melbourne Victory 3-2 at home.


At Beijing, China:


Joel Griffiths (26') and Erivaldo Valdo (47') provided the goalpower that carried Beijing Guoan into the knockout stage as they defeated visiting Kawasaki Frontale 2-0 to eliminate the Japanese club from the tournament.


FINAL GROUP E STANDINGS:


1. Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma (GP: 6; GD: +5; PTS: 15)
2. Beijing Guoan (GP: 6; GD: +2; PTS: 10)
3. Kawasaki Frontale (GP: 6; GD: 0; PTS: 6)
4. Melbourne Victory (GP: 6; GD: -7; PTS: 4)


Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma and Beijing Gouan advanced to the knockout stage.


Group F:

At Jakarta, Indonesia:


Perhaps someone connected with the hosts must have read my comments on why this club was still playing in the tournament after five wretchingly bad performances.


After an abysmal performance through five games, Persipura Jayapura managed to wake up and defeat visiting Changchun Yatai 2-0.  Edward Ivakdalam (27') and Yustinus Pae (65') each delivered a goal for the hosts, who actually managed to piece together an excellent performance.


At Kashima, Japan:


In a battle of the two Group F clubs who already advanced to the Round of 16, Kashima Antlers, with goals courtesy of  Lee Jung-Soo (20') and Takuya Nozawa (22'), defeated visiting Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors 2-1 to become the only club to win all six group-stage contests.


FINAL GROUP F STANDINGS:


1. Kashima Antlers (GP: 6; GD: +11; PTS: 18)
2. Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors (GP: 6; GD: +11; PTS: 12)
3. Changchun Yatai (GP: 6; GD: +3; PTS: 3)
4. Persipura Jayapura (GP: 6; GD: -25; PTS: 3)


Kashima Antlers and Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors advanced to the knockout stage.