AFC Champions League

Group-stage play in the AFC Champions League resumed on Tuesday with seven games.

GROUP C:

At Doha, Qatar:

In a contest that was transferred from Saudi Arabia due to the deteriorating relationship between the Saudis and Iran, Aloys Nong (66') and Farzad Hatami (81') each scored once as Iran's Tractor Sazi blanked Saudi Arabia's Al-Hilal 2-0 and clinched the Group C title as well as a berth in the knockout stage.

At Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates:

Igor Sergeev scored twice (64', PK-83') as Pakhtakor Tashkent kept their chances of advancing alive with their 3-1 road win over Al-Jazira.

Group C Standings:

1. y-Tractor Sazi (GP: 5; GD: +8; PTS: 12)
2.    Al-Hilal (GP: 5; GD: +2; PTS: 8)
3.    Pakhtakor Tashkent (GP: 5; GD: -2; PTS: 7)
4. z-Al-Jazira (GP: 5; GD: -8; PTS: 1)

y-Won Group C and clinched a berth in the knockout stage

z-Eliminated from tournament



GROUP D:

At Qarshi, Uzbekistan:

Danilo Moreno Asprilla's equalizer in the 32nd minute lifted Al-Ain to a 1-1 road draw with Nasaf Qarshi.  Muksud Karimov scored in the opening minute for the hosts.

At Doha, Qatar:

Islam Seraj scored twice (22', 57') as Al-Ahli Saudi FC dominated El Jaish 4-1 on the road.  Despite the defeat the Qatari club still locked up a berth in the knockout stage.

Group D Standings:

1. x-El Jaish (GP: 5; GD: 0; PTS: 10)
2.    Al-Ain (GP: 5; GD: 0; PTS: 7)
3.    Al-Ahli Saudi FC (GP: 5; GD: +1; PTS: 6)
4.    Nasaf Qarshi (GP: 5; GD: -1; PTS: 5)

x-Clinched berth in knockout stage



GROUP G:

At Osaka, Japan:

Natanael de Sousa Santos Junior scored twice (49, PK-57') as Suwon Samsung Bluewings knocked Gamba Osaka out of the tournament with a 2-1 road victory.

At Shanghai, China:

Elkeson scored what proved to be the winning goal in the 40th minute as Shanghai SIPG locked up top spot in Group G with their 3-1 home win over the Melbourne Victory.

Group G Standings:

1. y-Shanghai SIPG (GP: 5; GD: +5; PTS: 12)
2.    Melbourne Victory (GP: 5; GD: -1; PTS: 6)
3.    Suwon Samsung Bluewings (GP: 5; GD: 0; PTS: 6)
4. z-Gamba Osaka (GP: 5; GD: -4; PTS: 2)

y-Clinched Group G title and berth in knockout stage

z-Eliminated from tournament

NOTE:  Melbourne Victory and Suwon Samsung Bluewings battled to two draws, with the Australian club gaining a 1-1 road draw in their second meeting in South Korea on April 6.  The two clubs battled to a scoreless stalemate in Australia on March 15.



GROUP H:

At Pohang, South Korea

In the lone Tuesday match in Group H, Ricaro Goulart (33') and Gao Lin (47') each scored a goal as Guangzhou Evergrande blanked Pohang Steelers 2-0 on the road.  The victory for the Chinese club clinched a knockout-stage berth for Sydney FC.