Here's Something I Didn't Know Until Now

Because of boorish "fan" behavior in their January 18 contest at home against Club Africain, Egypt's Ismaily was tossed out of the CAF Champions League last Wednesday.

The results of the Egyptian club's games, the one in question against Tunisia's Club Africain as well as TP Mazembe of the DRC were annulled.

Ironically, Ismaily had lost (or were losing) both of those contests.

Late Draw Gains Road Draw For Lions

At Setubal, Portugal:

Bas Dost produced his equalizer in the 80th minute that lifted Sporting CP to a 1-1 Wednesday Portuguese Liga road draw with Vitoria Setubal.

Jhonder Cadiz scored for the hosts in the 24th minute.

Copa Libertadores Qualifying: Delfin Oust Club Nacional To Advance To Second Qualifying Round

Action in the opening round of Copa Libertadores qualifying is set to conclude on Wednesday with two games.

At Asuncion, Paraguay:

Roberto Ordonez (41') and Carlos Garces (43') each scored a goal, two minutes apart, late in the first half as Delfin defeated Club Nacional 2-1 on the road in their second series game and ousted the Paraguayan club 5-1 on aggregate.

At Montevideo, Uruguay:

Defensor Sporting (Uruguay) vs. Club Bolivar (Bolivia), game two (Defensor up 4-2 on aggregate after game one), 3:30 PM Pacific Time

OFC Champions League Qualifying: Tupapa Maraerenga Advance To Group Stage; Pago Youth Eliminated

Action from the qualifying round of the OFC Champions League resumed on Tuesday with two games, both contested at CIFA Academy Field, Matavera, Cook Islands.

In the opener, Paulo Scanlan scored twice (PK-29', 85') as Kiwi FC held off Pago Youth 4-3, eliminating the club from American Samoa, despite a hat trick (21', 39', 80') from the opponents' Palauni Tapusoa.

In the nightcap, Ben Mata scored twice (PK-7', 63') as the host nation's Tupapa Maraerenga dominated Tonga's Lotoha'apai United 4-1 and advanced to the group stage.

Qualifying Group Standings:

1. x-Tupapa Maraerenga (GP: 2; GD: +6; PTS: 6)
2.    Lotoha'apai United (GP: 2; GD: +1; PTS: 3)
3.    Kiwi FC (GP: 2; GD: -2; PTS: 3)
4. z-Pago Youth (GP: 2; GD: -5; PTS: 0)

x-Clinched berth in group stage

z-Eliminated

Copa Libertadores Qualifying: Deportivo La Guaira Advance On Away Goals

At Cusco, Peru:

As the opening round of Copa Libertadores qualifying resumed on Tuesday, Jose Balza scored the series-winning goal in the third minute of second-half stoppage time as Deportivo La Guaira, despite dropping a 2-1 game-two road decision to Real Garcilaso, still won their series on away goals with the aggregate score at 2-2.

Wolves Hammer West Ham

At Wolverhampton, England:

Raul Rodriguez scored twice (80', 86') on Tuesday as Wolverhampton Wanderers dominated visiting West Ham United 3-0 in English Premier League action.

AFC Asian Cup: It's Qatar vs. Japan For The Marbles

At Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates:

Boualem Khoukhi (22'), Almoez Ali (37'), Hassan Al-Haydos (80'), and Hamid Ismail (90'+3) each scored once on Tuesday as Qatar demolished the United Arab Emirates 4-0 in semifinal-round action in the AFC Asian Cup.

The Maroons will face off against Japan in Friday's final, to be contested at Abu Dhabi's Zayed Sports City Stadium.

The winner would qualify for the 2021 FIFA Confederations Cup, set to be staged in Qatar (still set to host the 2022 FIFA World Cup).

AFC Asian Cup: Yuya's The Man As His Double Carries Japan To Final

At Al Ain, United Arab Emirates:

Yuya Osako produced a second-half double (56', PK-67') as Japan dominated Iran 3-0 in Monday's AFC Asian Cup semifinal match.

The Blue Samurai will compete in Friday's final against the winner of Tuesday's Qatar-United Arab Emirates contest, with the winner heading to the 2021 FIFA Confederations Cup tournament, set to take place in Qatar.

OFC Champions League Qualifying: Lotoha'apai United, Tupapa Maraerenga Open Things Up With Wins

Qualifying-group action in the OFC Champions League commenced on Sunday with all such games being contested at CIFA Academy Field in Matavera, Cook Islands.

In the opener, Tuia Falepapalangi produced a hat trick (53', 66', 69') as Tonga's Lotoha'apai United ran roughshod over American Samoa's Pago Youth 5-1.

In the nightcap, Grover Harmon scored the game winner in the 18th minute as Tupapa Maraerenga, from the host nation, dominated Samoa's Kiwi FC 4-1.

Qualifying Group Standings:

1. Lotoha'apai United (GP: 1; GD: +4; PTS: 3)
2. Tupapa Maraerenga (GP: 1; GD: +3; PTS: 3)
3. Kiwi FC (GP: 1; GD: -3; PTS: 0)
4. Pago Youth (GP: 1; GD: -4; PTS: 0)

The top two teams would advance to the Group State proper.

Blancos Double Up Parakeets On Road

At Cornella de Llobregat, Spain:

Karim Benzema scored twice (15', 45'+1) as Real Madrid doubled up struggling Espanyol 4-2 on the road in Sunday Spanish La Liga action.

Too Much Bayern For Stuttgart

At Munich, Germany:

In Sunday German Bundesliga action, goals by Thiago Alcantara (5'), Christian Gentner (OG-55'), Leon Goretzka (71'), and Robert Lewandowski (84') propelled Bayern Munich to an easy 4-1 home win over VfB Stuttgart.

Goose Eggs For Rossoneri and Napoli

At Milan, Italy:

AC Milan's Saturday Italian Serie A home contest with Napoli ended in a 0-0 stalemate.

More Woe For Monaco

At Dijon, France:

Kwon Chang-Hoon (24') and Naim Stili (69') each scored once on Saturday as Dijon blanked visiting AS Monaco 2-0 in French Ligue 1 action.

AFC Asian Cup: Qatar And UAE Advance To Semifinals

The quarterfinal round of the AFC Asian Cup concluded on Friday with two games contested in the United Arab Emirates.

At Abu Dhabi:

Abdulaziz Hatem scored the only goal of the match in the 78th minute as Qatar defeated South Korea 1-0.

At Al Ain:

Ali Ahmed Mabkhout scored the game's lone goal in the 68th minute as the United Arab Emirates defeated Australia 1-0.



Match-ups for the semifinal round:

Monday:

At Al Ain:

Iran vs. Japan

Tuesday

At Abu Dhabi:

Qatar vs. United Arab Emirates

AFC Asian Cup: Japan, Iran Advance To Semifinals

The AFC Asian Cup's semifinal round opened in the United Arab Emirates on Thursday with two games.

At Dubai:

Ritsu Doan scored the only goal of the match in the 57th minute as Japan defeated Vietnam 1-0.

At Abu Dhabi:

Mehdi Taremi (18'), Sardar Azmoun (31'), and Karim Ansarifard (90'+1) each scored once as Iran dominated mainland China 3-0.

Copa Libertadores Qualifying: Deportivo La Guaira and Defensor Sporting Grab Series Openers

The first round of Copa Libertadores qualifying is set to continue on Wednesday with two games, both scheduled to kick off at 3:30 PM Pacific Time.

At Caracas, Venezuela:

Juan Azocar scored the only goal of the match in the 70th minute as Deportivo La Guaira defeated visiting Real Garcilaso 1-0 in the opening contest of their two-game series.

At La Paz, Bolivia:

Alvaro Navarro scored the winning goal in the 80th minute with his successfully-converted penalty kick as Defensor Sporting knocked off Club Bolivar 4-2 on the road in their series opener.

Copa Libertadores: Delfin Dominates Club Nacional of Paraguay as Qualifying Opens

At Manta, Ecuador:

In the opening match of the opening round of Copa Libertadores qualifying, Roberto Ordonez scored twice (11', 13') as Delfin dominated visiting Club Nacional of Paraguay 3-0 in the opening contest of their two-game series.

AFC Asian Cup: South Korea, Qatar Advance To Quarterfinals

Two games were played in the United Arab Emirates as the AFC Asian Cup's Round of 16 concluded.

At Dubai:

Kim Jin-Su scored the winning goal in overtime (105'+2) as South Korea outlasted Bahrain 2-1.

At Abu Dhabi:

Bassam Hisham scored the lone goal of the match in the 62nd minute as Qatar defeated Iraq 1-0.



Here are the match-ups for the quarterfinal round:

Thursday:

At Dubai:

Vietnam vs. Japan

At Abu Dhabi:

China, mainland vs. Iran



Friday:

At Abu Dhabi:

South Korea vs. Qatar

At Al Ain:

United Arab Emirates vs. Australia

Rough Monday For Parakeets

At Eibar, Spain:

Sergio Enrich (24'), Pablo De Blasis (52'), and Charles Diaz Barbosa (84') each scored once as Eibar dominated visiting Espanyol 3-0 in Monday Spanish La Liga action.

Road Win For Rossoneri

At Genoa, Italy:

In Monday action from Italy's Serie A, Fabio Borini (72') and Suso (83') each scored a goal as AC Milan blanked Genoa 2-0 on the road.

AFC Asian Cup: Japan, Socceroos, UAE Advance To Quarterfinals

The AFC Asian Cup's Round of 16 continued on Monday with three games contested in the United Arab Emirates.

At Sharjah:

Takehiro Tomiyasu scored the game's lone goal at 20 minutes as Japan defeated Saudi Arabia 1-0.

At Al Ain:

After 180 minutes of scoreless soccer, Mark Milligan, Robbie Kruse, Apostolis Giannou, and Mathew Leckie each converted a spot kick as Australia took the measure of Uzbekistan 4-2 in the penalty-kick shootout.

At Abu Dhabi:

Ahmad Khalil scored the winning goal in the 103rd minute by converting a penalty kick as the United Arab Emirates took a 3-2 overtime decision over Kyrgyzstan.

AFC Asian Cup: Vietnam, China, Iran Advance To Quarterfinals

The knockout stage of the AFC Asian Cup commenced on Sunday with three games played in the United Arab Emirates.

At Dubai:

After Nguyen Cong Phuong's equalizer in the 51st minute equalized their contest with Jordan at 1-1 (which was the score after regulation and 30 scoreless minutes of overtime), Vietnam, with Que Ngoc Hai, Do Hung Dung, Luong Xuan Truong, and Bui Tien Dung I converting their spot kicks, won the penalty-kick shootout 4-2.

At Al Ain)

Xiao Zhi (67') and Goa Lin (PK-71') each scored a goal four minutes apart in the final half-hour as mainland China came from behind to upend Thailand 2-1.

At Abu Dhabi:

Alireza Jananbakhsh (32') and Ashkan Dejagah (PK-41') each scored once as Iran blanked Oman 2-0.

Lions Hold On For Home Victory

At Lisbon:

In Saturday Portuguese Liga action, Nani (3') and Bruno Fernandes (26') each scored once in the opening half-hour as Sporting CP held off visiting Moreirense 2-1.

CAF Champions League

Four more CAF Champions League group-stage matches were contested on Saturday.

GROUP A:

At Abidjan, Ivory Coast:

Ahmed Diomande converted a penalty kick in the 38th minute for the only goal of the match as ASEC Mimosas defeated visiting Lobi Stars 1-0.

At Pretoria, South Africa:

Themba Zwane scored twice (8', 64') as Mamelodi Sundowns defeated visiting Wydad Casablanca 2-1.

Group A Standings:

1. Wydad Casablanca (GP: 2; GD: +2; PTS: 3)
2. Mamelodi Sundowns (GP: 2; GD: 0; PTS: 3)
3. Lobi Stars (GP: 2; GD: 0; PTS: 3)
4. ASEC Mimosas (GP: 2; GD: -2; PTS: 3)



GROUP C:

At Constantine, Algeria:

Houcine Benayada (51'), Nasreddine Zaalani (65'), and Sid Ali Lamri (80') each scored a second-half goal as CS Constantine broke open what was at halftime a scoreless stalemate and ended up blowing out visiting TP Mazembe 3-0.

Group C Standings:

1. CS Constantine (GP: 2; GD: +4; PTS: 6)
2. Club Africain (GP: 2; GD: 0; PTS: 3)
3. TP Mazembe (GP: 2; GD: -1; PTS: 3)
4. Ismaily (GP: 2; GD: -3; PTS: 0)



GROUP D:

At Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo:

Jean Makusa scored twice (14', 74') as AS Vita Club destroyed visiting Simba 5-0.

Group D Standings:

1. Al-Ahly (GP: 2; GD: +2; PTS: 4)
2. AS Vita Club (GP: 2; GD: +3; PTS: 3)
3. Simba SC (GP: 2; GD: -2; PTS: 3)
4. JS Saoura (GP: 2; GD: -3; PTS: 1)

Monaco Blown Out At Home

At Fontvieille, Monaco:

In Saturday French Ligue 1 action, Ludovic Ajorque scored twice (12', 68') as RC Strasbourg demolished relegation-threatened AS Monaco 5-1 on the road.

Wolves Use Diogo Jota's Hat Trick To Top Foxes

At Wolverhampton, England:

With Diogo Jota producing a hat trick (4', 64', 90'+3), Wolverhampton Wanderers took a thrilling Saturday English Premier League contest, 4-3 over visiting Leicester City.

The hat trick was the first for Wolves in top-flight action since John Richards did the trick in 1977---also against the Foxes.

Road Win For Bayern

At Sinsheim, Germany:

In Friday German Bundesliga action, Leon Goretzka scored twice (34', 45'+1) as Bayern Munich held off TSG 1899 Hoffenheim 3-1 on the road.

CAF Champions League

Group-stage play in the CAF Champions League resumed on Friday with four games.

GROUP B:

At Tunis, Tunisia:

Taha Khenissi scored twice (24', 65') as Esperance de Tunis blanked visiting FC Platinum 2-0.

At Johannesburg, South Africa:

Justin Shonga scored twice (73', 76') as Orlando Pirates dominated visiting Horoya 3-0.

Group B:

1. Orlando Pirates (GP: 2; GD: +3; PTS: 4)
2. Esperance de Tunis (GP: 2; GD: +2; PTS: 4)
3. FC Platinum (GP: 2; GD: -2; PTS: 1)
4. Horoya (GP: 2; GD: -3; PTS: 1)



GROUP C:

At Ismalia, Egypt:

Ghazi Ayadi converted two penalty kicks late in the first half (40', 45') as Club Africain knocked off Ismaily 2-1 on the road.



GROUP D:

At Bechar, Algeria:

Karim Nedved's equalizer in the 85th minute lifted Al-Ahly to a 1-1 road draw with JS Saoura.

Sid Ali Yahia Cherif scored for the hosts in the 59th minute.

AFC Asian Cup: Oman Advances To Knockout Stage As Group-Stage Play Ends

Four games were played in the United Arab Emirates on Thursday as AFC Asian Cup group-stage play concluded.

GROUP E:

At Abu Dhabi:

Almoez Ali scored both goals (45'+1, 80') as Qatar blanked Saudi Arabia 2-0 as both squads had already clinched knockout-stage berths.

At Sharjah:

Hilal El-Helwe scored twice (65', 90'+8) as Lebanon dominated North Korea 4-1 in what was the tournament swan song for both teams.

Final Group E Standings:

1. Qatar (GP: 3; GD: +10; PTS: 9)
2. Saudi Arabia (GP: 3; GD: +4; PTS: 6)
3. Lebanon (GP: 3; GD: -1; PTS: 3)
4. North Korea (GP: 3; GD: -13; PTS: 0)

Qatar and Saudi Arabia advanced to the knockout stage.



GROUP F:

At Abu Dhabi:

Muhsen Al-Ghassani scored the winning goal in the 84th minute as Oman defeated Turkmenistan 3-1 to lock up a berth in the knockout stage.

At Al Ain:

In a battle of Round of 16-bound teams, Tsukasa Shiotani scored the game winner in the 58th minute as Japan defeated Uzbekistan 2-1 to clinch top spot in Group F.

Final Group F Standings:

1. Japan (GP: 3; GD: +3; PTS: 9)
2. Uzbekistan (GP: 3; GD: +4; PTS: 6)
3. Oman (GP: 3; GD: 0; PTS: 3)
4. Turkmenistan (GP: 3; GD: -7; PTS: 0)

Japan, Uzbekistan, and Oman advanced to the knockout stage.



Here are the match-ups for the Round of 16:

Sunday:

At Dubai:

Jordan vs. Vietnam

At Al Ain:

Thailand vs. China, Mainland

At Abu Dhabi:

Iran vs. Oman



Monday:

At Sharjah:

Japan vs. Saudi Arabia

At Al Ain:

Australia vs. Uzbekistan

At Abu Dhabi:

United Arab Emirates (hosts) vs. Kyrgyzstan



Tuesday:

At Dubai:

South Korea vs. Bahrain

At Abu Dhabi:

Qatar vs. Iraq

Monaco Salvage Home Draw With Nice On Wednesday

At Fontvieille, Monaco:

Benoit Badiashile's equalizer in the 50th minute on Wednesday enabled AS Monaco to salvage a 1-1 French Ligue 1 home draw with OGC Nice.

Allan Saint-Maximin scored for the visiting Eagles at 30 minutes.

AFC Asian Cup: Kyrgyzstan Advances To Knockout Stage

Four games were played on Wednesday in the United Arab Emirates as group-stage play in the AFC Champions League continued.

GROUP C:

At Abu Dhabi:

Him Min-jae scored the winning goal in the 51st minute as South Korea defeated China 2-1 in a match of two knockout-stage-bound teams.

At Dubai:

Vitalij Lux produced a hat trick (24', 51', 77') as Kyrgyzstan locked up a berth in the knockout stage by eliminating the Philippines 3-1.

Final Group C Standings:

1. South Korea (GP: 3; GD: +4; PTS: 9)
2. China, Mainland (GP: 3; GD: +2; PTS: 6)
3. Kyrgyzstan (GP: 3; GD: 0; PTS: 3)
4. Philippines (GP: 3; GD: -6; PTS: 0)

South Korea, China, and Kyrgyzstan advanced to the knockout stage.



GROUP D:

At Al Ain:

Nguyen Quang Hai (38') and Que Ngoc Hai (PK-64') each scored once as Vietnam kept alive their hopes of advancing after blanking Yemen 2-0.

At Dubai:

Two knockout round-based teams, Iran and Iraq, battled to a 0-0 stalemate.

Group D Standings:

1. Iran (GP: 3; GD: +7; PTS: 7)
2. Iraq (GP: 3; GD: +4; PTS: 7)
3. Vietnam (GP: 3; GD: -1; PTS: 3)
4. Yemen (GP: 3; GD: -10; PTS: 0)

Iran and Iraq advanced to the knockout stage; Vietnam, pending the outcomes from Thursday, is still technically alive for advancement.

It Became Official On Tuesday

Austin FC will become a Major League Soccer expansion franchise, set to start play in 2021.

AFC Asian Cup: Socceroos Advance To Knockout Stage

Play in Group B of the AFC Asian Cup concluded on Tuesday with two games contested in the United Arab Emirates.

At Al Ain:

Tomas Rogic successfully converted a penalty kick in the third minute of second-half stoppage time for the game-winning goal as Australia defeated Syria 3-2 to lock up a berth in the knockout stage and eliminating the Syrians from the tournament in the process.

At Abu Dhabi:

Palestine and Jordan, who had already locked up a berth in the Round of 16, battled to a 0-0 stalemate.

The Palestinians are still alive for a knockout-stage berth given to the any of the four third-placed teams with the best records.

Final Group B Standings:

1. Jordan (GP: 3; GD: +3; PTS: 7)
2. Australia (GP: 3; GD: +3; PTS: 6)
3. Palestine (GP: 3; GD: -3; PTS: 2)
4. Syria (GP: 3; GD: -3; PTS: 1)

Jordan and Australia advanced to the knockout stage; pending the outcomes of games scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday, Palestine is still alive for a knockout-stage berth.

Parakeets Fall To Sociedad

At San Sebastian, Spain:

In the lone Monday Spanish La Liga contest, William Jose scored twice (PK-8', 63') as Real Sociedad defeated visiting Espanyol 3-2.

Citizens Dominate Visiting Wolves

At Manchester, England:

Gabriel Jesus scored twice (10', PK-39') on Monday as Manchester City dominated visiting Wolverhampton Wanderers 3-0 in English Premier League action.

AFC Asian Cup: UAE, Thailand, Bahrain

Two Group A games were played in the United Arab Emirates were contested on Monday as the final cycle of AFC Asian Cup group-stage action commenced.

At Al Ain:

Thitipan Puangchan's equalizer in the 41st enabled Thailand to gain a 1-1 draw with the United Arab Emirates.

Ali Ahmed Mabkhout scored for the host nation in the seventh minute as both teams advanced to the knockout stage.

At Sharjah:

Jamal Rashid's successfully converted penalty kick in the opening minute of second-half stoppage time proved vital as Bahrain defeated India 1-0 to gain passage to the knockout stage as one of the four third-finish teams with the best records while the Indians were eliminated.

Final Group A Standings:

1. United Arab Emirates (GP: 3; GD: +2; PTS: 5)
2. Thailand (GP: 3; GD: -2; PTS: 4)
3. Bahrain (GP: 3; GD: 0; PTS: 4)
4. India (GP: 3; GD: 0; PTS: 3)

NOTE:  Thailand defeated Bahrain 1-0 on January 10.

The United Arab Emirates, Thailand, and Bahrain advanced to the knockout stage.

Monaco to Visit Marseille on Sunday

At Marseilles, France:

Olympique Marseille vs. AS Monaco, French Ligue 1 soccer, Sunday @ 12:00 Noon Pacific Time

AFC Asian Cup: Qatar, Uzbekistan, Japan Join Knockout Stage

The second cycle of group-stage games in the AFC Asian Cup concluded on Sunday in the United Arab Emirates with three games.

GROUP E:

At Al Ain:

Almoez Ali delivered a quadruple (9', 11', 55', 60') as he scored twice in each half as Qatar clinched a berth in the knockout stage after destroying North Korea 6-0.

Group E Standings:

1. x-Qatar (GP: 2; GD: +8; PTS: 6)
2. x-Saudi Arabia (GP: 2; GD: +6; PTS: 6)
3.    Lebanon (GP: 2; GD: -4; PTS: 0)
4.    North Korea (GP: 2; GD: -10; PTS: 0)

x-Clinched berth in knockout stage



GROUP F:

At Abu Dhabi:

Genki Haraguchi's penalty kick in the 28th minute delivered the goal that carried Japan to the knockout stage following the Blue Samurai's 1-0 victory over Oman.

At Dubai:

Eldor Shomurodov scored twice (24', 42') as Uzbekistan demolished Turkmenistan 4-0 to lock up a berth in the knockout stage.

Group F Standings:

1. x-Uzbekistan (GP: 2; GD: +5; PTS: 6)
2. x-Japan (GP: 2; GD: +2; PTS: 6)
3.    Oman (GP: 2; GD: -2; PTS: 0)
4.    Turkmenistan (GP: 2; GD: -5; PTS: 0)

x-Clinched berth in knockout stage

Lions And Dragons Battle To Scoreless Draw In Lisbon

At Lisbon:

Saturday's Portuguese Liga match between Sporting CP and visiting FC Porto ended in a 0-0 stalemate.

AFC Champions League

AFC Champions League group-stage play continued on Saturday with four games.

GROUP B:

At Bulawayo, Zimbabwe:

Orlando Pirates held hosts FC Platinum to a 0-0 stalemate.

Group B Standings:

1. Esperance de Tunis (GP: 1; GD: 0: PTS: 1)
2. Horoya (GP: 1; GD: 0: PTS: 1)
3. FC Platinum (GP: 1; GD: 0: PTS: 1)
4. Orlando Pirates (GP: 1; GD: 0: PTS: 1)



GROUP C:

At Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of the Congo:

Chico Ushindi (83') and Kevin Mondeko (86') each scored a goal in the final quarter-hour three minutes apart as TP Mazembe blanked visiting Ismaily 2-0.

Group C Standings:

1. TP Mazembe (GP: 1; GD: +2; PTS: 3)
2. CS Constantine (GP: 1; GD: +1; PTS: 3)
3. Club Africain (GP: 1; GD: -1; PTS: 0)
4. Ismaily (GP: 1; GD: -2; PTS: 0)



GROUP D:

At Dar es Salaam, Tanzania:

Meddie Kagere scored twice (52', 67') as Simba dominated visiting JS Saoura 3-0.

At Alexandria, Egypt:

Nasser Maher (65') and Ali Maaloul (PK-79') each scored once as Al-Ahly blanked visiting AS Vita Club 2-0.

Group D Standings:

1. Simba (GP: 1; GD: +3; PTS: 3)
2. Al-Ahly (GP: 1; GD: +2; PTS: 3)
3. AS Vita Club (GP: 1; GD: -2; PTS: 0)
4. JS Saoura (GP: 1; GD: -3; PTS: 0)

AFC Asian Cup: Iran, Iraq, Saudis Advance To Knockout Stage

Three more group-stage games were contested in the AFC Asian Cup in the United Arab Emirates on Saturday.

GROUP D:

At Abu Dhabi:

Sardar Azmoth scored twice (38', 69') as Iran blanked Vietnam 2-0 to advance to the knockout stage.

At Sharjah:

Mohanad Ali (11'), Bashar Resan (19'), and Alaa Abbas (90'+1) each scored once as Iraq secured a berth in the knockout stage by dominting Yemen 3-0.

Group D Standings:

1. x-Iran (GP: 2; GD: +7; PTS: 6)
2. x-Iraq (GP: 2; GD: +4; PTS: 6)
3.    Vietnam (GP: 2; GD: -3; PTS: 0)
4.    Yemen (GP: 2; GD: -8; PTS: 0)

x-Clinched berth in knockout stage



GROUP E:

At Dubai:

Fahad Al-Muwallad (12') and Housain Al-Mogahwi (67') delivered the goals to carry Saudi Arabia into the knockout stage after their 2-0 blanking of Lebanon.

CAF Champions League: Group-Stage Play Opens

Group-stage play in the CAF Champions League commenced on Friday with four games.

GROUP A:

At Enugu, Nigeria:

Mathias Martins scored the winning goal in the 52nd minute as Lobi Stars defeated visiting Mamelodi Sundowns 2-1.

At Rabat, Morocco:

Zouhair El Moutaraji scored the winning goal in the 56th minute as Wydad Casablanca dominated visiting ASEC Mimosas 5-2.

Group A Standings:

1. Wydad Casablanca (GP: 1; GD: +3; PTS: 3)
2. Lobi Stars (GP: 1; GD: +1; PTS: 3)
3. Mamelodi Sundowns (GP: 1; GD: -1; PTS: 0)
4. ASEC Mimosas (GP: 1; GD: -3; PTS: 0)



GROUP B:

At Conakry, Guinea:

Esperance de Tunis, thanks to Anice Badri's equalizer at the death (90'+3) gained a 1-1 road draw with Horoya.

Ocansey Mandela scored for the hosts in the 67th minute.



GROUP C:

At Sousse, Tunisia:

Abdenour Belkheir scored the only goal of the match in the 89th minute as CS Constantine knocked off Club Africain 1-0 on the road.