AFC Champions League

Group-stage play in the AFC Champions League commenced on Monday with four games, all in the West Region.

GROUP A:

At Erbil, Iraq:

Ali Faez converted a penalty kick in the 48th minute to lift Al-Shorta to a 1-1 home draw with Esteghlal.

Hussam Kadhim's own goal in the 24th minute accounted for the Iranian club's tally.

At Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates:

Rim Chang-woo's 90th-minute equalizer carried Al-Wahda to a 1-1 home deadlock with Al-Ahli.

Abdulfattah Asiri scored in the 60th minute for the Saudi club.

Group A Standings:

1. Esteghlal (GP: 1: GD: 0; PTS: 1)
2. Al-Ahli (GP: 1; GD: 0; PTS: 1)
3. Al-Wahda (GP: 1; GD: 0; PTS: 1)
4. Al-Shorta (GP: 1; GD: 0; PTS: 1)

NOTE: Esteghlal and Al-Ahli each scored a road goal in their respective Monday 1-1 draws with Al-Shorta and Al-Wahda.



GROUP B:

At Tashkent, Uzbekistan:

Dragan Ceran scored the winning goal in the 70th minute as Pakhtakor Tashkent defeated visiting Shabab Al-Ahli 2-1.

At Dubai, United Arab Emirates (due to deteriorating relations between Saudi Arabia and Iran):

Andre Carrillo (45') and Bafetimbi Gomis (69') each scored once as Saudi Arabia's Al-Ahli blanked Iran's Shahr Khodro 2-0.

Group B Standings:

1. Al-Ahli (GP: 1; GD: +2; PTS: 3)
2. Pakhtakor (GP: 1: GD: +1; PTS: 3)
3. Shabab Al-Ahli (GP: 1; GD: -1; PTS: 0)
4. Shahr Khodro (GP: 1; GD: -2; PTS: 0)