Wednesday, May 06, 2015

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.

No comments: