AFC Champions League: It's Urawa Red Diamons vs. Saudi Arabia's Al-Hilal For The Marbles

At Saitama, Japan:

Rafael Silva's goal in the 12th minute was the game and series winner on Wednesday as Urawa Red Diamonds took game two of their AFC Champions League semifinal series with China's Shanghai SIPG 1-0 at home and won their East Region series 2-1 on aggregate.

The Reds will face Saudi Arabia's Al-Hilal in the two-match final, which starts at Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on November 18, with the return contest set for Saitama on November 25.

The winner will advance to December's FIFA Club World Cup tournament, set to be staged in the United Arab Emirates.

AFC Champions League

At Muscat, Oman (due to ongoing deteriorating of relations between Iran and Saudi Arabia):

Omar Khribin scored twice (PK-30', 76') on Tuesday as Al-Hilal of Saudi Arabia gained a 2-2 game-two draw with Iran Persepolis (the game's designated home club), enough for the Saudi club to win their AFC Champions League semifinal series 6-2 on aggregate and advance to the two-match final, set to open on November 18.

AFC Champions League: Red Diamonds Gain Semifinal Series-Opening Road Draw With Shanghai SIPG

At Shanghai, China:

Yosuke Kashiwagi's goal in the 27th minute on Wednesday lifted Urawa Red Diamonds to an AFC Champions League (East Region) semifinal series-opening 1-1 road draw with Shanghai SIPG.

Hulk scored for the Chinese club in the 15th minute.

AFC Champions League: Al-Hilal Blast Persepolis In Semifinal Series Opener

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

In Tuesday's opening match of the AFC Champions League's semifinal round, Omar Khribin produced a hat trick (31', 54', 89') as Al-Hilal of Saudi Arabia all but punched their ticket to the two-game final after their game-one 4-0 demolition of Iran's Persepolis in their series in the West Region.

AFC Champions League: Red Diamonds Overcome Game-One Defeat, Advance To Semifinals

At Saitama, Japan:

Shinzo Koroki (35'), Zlatan Ljubijankic (70'), Rafael Silva (84'), and Toshiyuki Takagi (85') each scored once on Wednesday as Urawa Red Diamonds overcame their series-opening defeat by dominating visiting Kawasaki Frontale 4-1 in game two of their AFC Champions League East Zone quarterfinal series and took out their fellow Japanese club 5-4 on aggregate.

AFC Champions League

Two games were played on Tuesday as the quarterfinal round of the AFC Champions League continued.

East Region:

At Guangzhou, China:

After Guangzhou Evergrande dominated visiting Shanghai SIPG 4-0 in regulation to square their two-game series at 4-4 on aggregate, and after each club scored one in overtime to square the series at 5-5 on aggregate, Hulk, Oscar, Wu Lei, Odil Ahmedov, and Yu Hai each converted a spot kick as Shanghai SIPG (who finished the match with nine men) won the penalty-kick shootout 5-4 to advance to the semifinal round.



West Region:

At Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (due to deteriorating Saudi-Iranian relations):

Ali Alipour (5'), Godwin Mensha (PK-83'), and Mehdi Taremi (90'+4) each scored once as Persepolis of Iran took game two of their series with Saudi Arabia's Al-Ahli 3-1 in game two and won their series 5-3 on aggregate.

AFC Champions League: Saudi Arabia's Al-Hilal Punch Ticket For Semifinals

At Riyadh, Saudi Arabia:

On Monday, as play in the AFC Champions League's quarterfinal round resumed, Carlos Eduardo produced a hat trick (42', 45+1' 74') as Al-Hilal dominated visiting Al-Ain 3-0 in game two and took out the club from the Emirates by that same score on aggregate. 

AFC Champions League: Kawasaki Frontale Take Series Opener From Red Diamonds At Home

At Kawasaki, Japan:

In the lone Wednesday contest from the quarterfinal round of the AFC Champions League, Yu Kobayashi scored twice (33', 85') as Kawasaki Frontale defeated the visiting Urawa Red Diamonds 3-1 in the opening match of an all-Japanese two-game East Region series.

AFC Champions League

Two games were contested in AFC Champions League quarterfinal-round play on Tuesday.

East Region:

At Shanghai, China:

Wu Lei scored twice (62', 65') as Shanghai SIPG demolished visiting Guangzhou Evergrande 4-0 in the opening match of a two-game all-Chinese series.

West Region:

At Oman, Qatar (played in Qatar due to deteriorating relations between Iran and Saudi Arabia):

Shojae Khalilzadeh (72') and Godwin Mensha (84') each scored once as Iran's Persepolis erased a two-goal deficit to salvage a series-opening 2-2 deadlock with Al-Ahli Saudi FC.  Omar Al Somah (2') and Leonardo da Silva Souza (58') each scored once for the Saudi club.

AFC Champions League: Scoreless Start To Quarterfinal Round

At Al Ain, United Arab Emirates:

Al-Ain battled visiting Al-Hilal to a 0-0 series-opening West Region stalemate on Monday as the quarterfinal round of the AFC Champions League commenced.

CAF Champions League

CAF Champions League group-stage play continued on Wednesday with five games.

GROUP A:

At Omdurman, Sudan:

Mohamed Ahmed Bashir's equalizer in the 90th minute lifted Al-Hilal Omdurman to a 1-1 home draw with Etoile du Sahel.  Rami Bedoui scored for the Tunisian club in the 85th minute.

Group A Standings:

1. Etoile du Sahel (GP: 4; GD: +6; PTS: 8)
2. Ferroviario Beira (GP: 4; GD: -5; PTS: 4)
3. Al-Merrikh (GP: 4; GD: -1; PTS: 4)
4. Al-Hilal Omdurman (GP: 4; GD: 0; PTS: 4)

NOTE:  Ferroviario Beira picked up four points in games against Al-Merrikh and Al-Hilal Omdurman, while Al-Merrikh picked up four points in games against Ferroviario Beira and Al-Hilal Omdurman, and Al-Hilal Omdurman picked up two points in games against Ferroviario Beira and AL-Merrikh; Ferroviario Beira defeated Al-Merrikh 1-0 at home on June 3.



GROUP B:

At Sfax, Tunisia (due to security concerns in Libya):

Saleh Taher scored twice (15', 46') as Al-Ahli Tripoli doubled up Zimbabwe's CAPS United 4-2.

At Algiers, Algeria:

Reda Bellahcene (44') and Abderrahmane Meziane (87') delivered the goals as USM Alger blanked visiting Zamalek 2-0.

Group B Standings:

1. USM Alger (GP: 4; GD: +4; PTS: 7)
2. Al-Ahli Tripoli (GP: 4; GD: +1; PTS: 7)
3. Zamalek (GP: 4; GD: 0; PTS: 5)
4. CAPS United (GP: 4; GD: -5; PTS: 3)



GROUP C:

At Rades, Tunisia:

Esperance de Tunis battled visiting Mamelodi Sundowns to a 0-0 stalemate.

Group C Standings:

1. Esperance de Tunis (GP: 4; GD: +3; PTS: 8)
2. Mamelodi Sundowns (GP: 4; GD: +1; PTS: 5)
3. Saint George (GP: 4; GD: 0; PTS: 5)
4. AS Vita Club (GP: 4; GD: -4; PTS: 3)



GROUP D:

At Garoua , Cameroon:

Saith Salaka scored the only goal of the match in the opening minute of second-half stoppage time as Zanaco knocked off Coton Sport 1-0 on the road and ousted the hosts from the tournament.

Group D Standings:

1.    Zanaco (GP: 4; GD: +3; PTS: 10)
2.    Al-Ahly (GP: 4; GD: +2; PTS: 7)
3.    Wydad Casablanca (GP: 4; GD: +1; PTS: 6)
4. z-Coton Sport (GP: 4; GD: -6; PTS: 0)

z-Eliminated from tournament

AFC Champions League: Shanghai SIPG, Urawa Reds Advance To Quarterfinals

The AFC Champions League's Round of 16 concluded on Wednesday with two East Region games.

At Nanjing, China:

Elkeson (34'), Yang Xiaotian (OG-43'), and Hulk (90'+4) each scored once as Shanghai SIPG defeated Jiangsu Suning 3-2 on the road in game two and won their two-match series 5-3 on aggregate.

At Saitama, Japan:

After Shinzo Koroki (18') and Tadanari Lee (33') each scored once in regulation to lift Urawa Red Diamonds to a 2-2 series-aggregate stalemate with visiting Jeju United after their 2-0 regulation win in game two, Ryota Moriwaki scored the series-winning goal for the Japanese club in the 114th minute as the Reds won the series 3-2 on aggregate after overtime.

AFC Champions League

Four games were contested in the Round of 16 in the AFC Champions League on Tuesday.

WEST REGION:

At Rayyan, Qatar (due to deteriorating relations between Saudi Arabia and Iran):

Thanks to goals courtesy of Omar Khirbin (16') and Salem Al Dawsari (82'), Al-Hilal (Saudi Arabia) posted a second 2-1 victory over Esteghlal Khuzestan (Iran) and took their two-game series 4-2 on aggregate.

At Doha, Qatar:

An own goal in the 23rd minute from Chico Flores propelled Persepolis to a 1-0 game-two road win over Lekhwiya and a series aggregate victory by that same score.



EAST REGION:

At Kawasaki, Japan:

Kawasaki Frontale, with goals from Yu Kobayashi (31'), Tatsuya Hasegawa (32'), Eduardo Neto (40'), and Rhayner Santos Nascimento (79'),  dominated visiting Muangthong United 4-1 in game two and won their two-match series 7-2 on aggregate.

At Kashima, Japan:

Paulinho scored the series-winning goal in the 55th minute as Guangzhou Evergrande, despite dropping a 2-1 game-two road decision to Kashima Antlers, won their series with the Japanese club on away goals with the aggregate score at 2-2.

AFC Champions League: Al-Ain, Al-Ahli Saudi Advance To Quarterfinals

The second half of AFC Champions League Round-of-16 play commenced on Monday with two games, both in the West Region.

At Al Ain, United Arab Emirates:

Ciao Lucas Fernandes (27', 44') and Omar Abdulrahman (49', 60') each scored twice as Al-Ain destroyed visiting Esteghlal 6-1 in game two and took out the Iranian club 6-2 on aggregate.

At Dubai, United Arab Emirates:


Taisir Al-Jassim (18'), Housain Al-Mogahwi (24'), and Saad Abdul-Amir (PK-72') each scored a goal as Al-Ahli Saudi FC defeated Al-Ahli Dubai FC 3-1 on the road in game two and won their series 4-2 on aggregate.

AFC Champions League

Two games, both in the East Region, were contested on Wednesday as the Round of 16 in the AFC Champions League reached the midway point.

At Shanghai, China:

Hulk (PK-32') and Odil Akhmedov (45'+1) each scored once as Shanghai SIPG took the opening contest of an all-China two-game series with Jiangsu Suning 2-1 at home.

At Jeju City, South Korea:

Marcelo Toscano (7') and Jin Seong-wook (90'+2) delivered the goals as Jeju United blanked visiting Urawa Red Diamonds 2-0 in their series opener.

AFC Champions League

Four games were contested on Tuesday as the AFC Champions League's Round of 16 continued.

WEST REGION:

At Oman, Qatar (due to deteriorating relations between Iran and Saudi Arabia):

Abdullah Al Zoari (52') and Carlos Eduardo (57') each scored a second-half goal as Saudi Arabia's Al-Hilal knocked off Iran's Esteghlal Khuzestan 2-1.

At Tehran, Iran:

The opening contest of the series between Persepolis and visiting Lekhwiya ended in a 0-0 stalemate.  The match was played behind closed doors due to misbehavior on the part of the Iranian club's fans during Persepolis' May 8 home game against Al-Wahda.



EAST REGION:

At Nonthaburi, Thailand:

Second-half goals from Kengo Nakamura (66'), Yu Kobayashi (69'), and Hiroyoki Abe (89') carried Kawasaki Frontale to a series-opening 3-1 road win over Muangthong United.

At Guangzhou, China:

Paulinho scored the only goal of the match in the 75th minute as Guangzhou Evergrande defeated visiting Kashima Antlers 1-0 in the opening game of their two-match series.

AFC Champions League

Two games---both in the West Region---were contested on Monday as the knockout stage of the AFC Champions League commenced, opening with the Round of 16.

At Tehran, Iran:

Kaveh Rezaei scored the only goal of the match in the second minute of second-half stoppage time, thanks to his successfully-converted penalty kick as Esteghlal took the opening match if their series with Al-Ain 1-0 at home.

At Jeddah, Saudi Arabia:

Abdulfattah Tawfiq Asiri's equalizer in the 38th minute enabled Al-Ahli Saudi FC to salvage a series-opening 1-1 home deadlock with Al-Ahli FC from the Emirates.  Khamis Esmaeel scored for the guests in the 21st minute.

AFC Champions League: Group-Stage Play Concluded

Four games were played on Wednesday as the group stage of the AFC Champions League concluded.

GROUP E:

At Kashima, Japan:

Yuma Suzuki scored twice (18', 60') as Kashima Antlers defeated visiting Muangthong United 2-1 and clinched top spot in the Group E, as well as a knockout-stage berth (also clinched by the Thai club).

At Brisbane, Australia:

Kim Yong-jin scored the winning goal in the 75th minute as Ulsan Hyundai defeated the Brisbane Roar 3-2 on the road.

Final Group E Standings:

1. Kashima Antlers (GP: 6; GD: +8; PTS: 12)
2. Muangthong United (GP: 6; GD: +4; PTS: 11)
3. Ulsan Hyundai (GP: 6; GD: 0; PTS: 7)
4. Brisbane Roar (GP: 6; GD: -12; PTS: 4)

Kashima Antlers and Muangthong United advanced to the knockout stage.



GROUP F:

At Seoul, South Korea:

Seung-won Yoon scored the only goal of FC Seoul's 1-0 home victory over Urawa Red Diamonds in the 38th minute.

At Leumeah, Australia:

Jaushua Sotirio scored the game winner in the 89th minute as the Western Sydney Wanderers knocked off visiting Shanghai SIPG 3-2.

Final Group F Standings:

1. Urawa Red Diamonds (GP: 6; GD: +11; PTS: 12)
2. Shanghai SIPG (GP: 6; GD: +6; PTS: 12)
3. FC Seoul (GP: 6; GD: -5; PTS: 6)
4. Western Sydney Wanderers (GP: 6; GD: -12; PTS: 6)

Urawa Red Diamonds and Shanghai SIPG advanced to the group stage.

AFC Champions League

Eight games were contested in the AFC Champions League's group stage on Tuesday.

GROUP A:

At Dubai, United Arab Emirates:

Saleem Khamis (27'), Mamur Ikramov (OG-58'), Asamoah Gyan (72'), and Everton Ribeiro (77') each scored once as Al-Ahli demolished visiting Lokomotiv Tashkent 4-0 to clinch a berth in the knockout stage.

At Doha, Qatar (due to deteriorating relations between Saudi Arabia and Iran)
Kaveh Rezaei scored the winning goal in the 76th minute as Esteghlal of Iran defeated Saudi Arabia's Al-Taawoun 2-1 to advance to the knockout rounds.

Final Group A Standings:

1. Al-Ahli (GP: 6; GD: +5; PTS: 11)
2. Esteghlal (GP: 6; GD: +5; PTS: 11)
3. Al-Taawoun (GP: 6; GD: -5; PTS: 5)
4. Lokomotiv Tashkent (GP: 6; GD: -5; PTS: 5)

NOTES:  Al-Ahli had a win and a draw in two games against Estehlal; Al-Taawoun had a win and a draw in two games against Lokomotiv Tashkent; Al-Ahli and Esteghlal advanced to the knockout stage.



GROUP B:

At Ahvaz, Iran:

Mehdi Zobeydi's equalizer in the 86th minute enabled Esteghlal Khuzestan to salvage a 1-1 home draw with Al-Jazira.  Humaid Ahmed scored for the guests in the 43rd minute.

At Doha, Qatar:

Mohammed Musa (9'), Youssef Msakni (20'), Ali Hassan Afif (27'), and Chico Flores (45'+2) each scored a first-half goal as Lekhwiya deminated visiting Al-Fateh 4-1 and knocked the Saudi club out of the tournament.

Final Group B Standings:

1. Lekhwiya (GP: 6; GD: +9; PTS: 14)
2. Esteghlal Khuzestan (GP: 6; GD: +1; PTS: 9)
3. Al-Fateh (GP: 6; GD: -2; PTS: 6)
4. Al-Jazira (GP: 6; GD: -8; PTS: 2)

Lekhwiya and Esteghlal Khuzestan advanced to the knockout stage.



GROUP G:

At Guangzhou, China:

Ricardo Goulart scored twice (17', 68') as Guangzhou Evergrande locked up a berth in the knockout stage following their 2-2 home deadlock with Suwon Samsung Bluewings.  Yeom Ki-hun (9') and Kim Jong-wu (80') each scored a goal for the South Korean club, who needed a win to advance to the Round of 16, but were instead eliminated.

At Kawasaki, Japan:

Rhayner (22'), Shogo Taniguchi (45'), Tatsuya Hasegawa (49'), and Tatsuki Nara (53') each scored once as Kawasaki Frontale won Group G (and a berth in the knockout stage) following their 4-0 home demolition of Hong Kong's Eastern Sports Club.

Final Group G Standings:

1. Kawasaki Frontale (GP: 6; GD: +5; PTS: 10)
2. Guangzhou Evergrande (GP: 6; GD: +13; PTS: 10)
3. Suwon Samsung Bluewings (GP: 6; GD: +5; PTS: 9)
4. Eastern Sports Club (GP: 6; GD: -23; PTS: 1)

NOTES:  Kawasaki Frontale scored an away goal as they and Guangzhou Evergrande each scored a goal overall in the course of two games between the two clubs; Kawasaki Frontale and Guangzhou Evergrande advanced to the knockout stage.



GROUP H:

At Adelaide, Australia:

Ji Xiang scored the only goal of the match in the 82nd minute as Jiangsu Suning defeated Adelaide United 1-0 on the road to finish atop the Group H standings and lock up a berth in the Round of 16 as the Australian club's involvement in the tournament ended.

At Seogwipo, South Korea:

Chung Woon (29') and Huang Il-Su (66') each scored once as Jeju United blanked visiting Gamba Osaka 2-0 to advance to the knockout stage.

Final Group H Standings:

1. Jiangsu Suning (GP: 6; GD: +6; PTS: 15)
2. Jeju United (GP: 6; GD: +3; PTS: 10)
3. Adelaide United (GP: 6; GD: -3; PTS: 5)
4. Gamba Osaka (GP: 6; GD: -6; PTS: 4)

Jiangsu Suning and Jeju United advanced to the knockout stage.

AFC Champions League

Four games were played on Monday as the final week of AFC Champions League group-stage play commenced.

GROUP C:

At Al Rayyan, Qatar (due to deteriorating relations between Saudi Arabia and Iran):

Abdulfattah Asiri (63') and Amiri Kurdi (84') each scored once as Al-Ahli of Saudi Arabia blanked Iran's Zob Ahan 2-0 and locked up a berth in the knockout stage.

At Al Ain, United Arab Emirates:

Nasser Al Shamrani (34'), Omar Abdulrahman (77'), and Diaky Ibrahim (90'+1) each scored once as Al-Ain dominated visiting FC Bunyodkor 3-0 and clinched a berth in the knockout stage.

Final Group C Standings:

1. Al-Ain (GP: 6; GD: +7; PTS: 12)
2. Al-Ahli (GP: 6; GD: +3; PTS: 11)
3. Zob Ahan (GP: 6; GD: -3; PTS: 7)
4. FC Bunyodkor (GP: 6; GD: -7; PTS: 3)

Al-Ain and Al-Ahli advanced to the knockout stage.



GROUP D:

At Doha, Qatar:

Nicolas Milesi (40', 73') and Omar Khribin (66', 84') each scored twice as Al-Hilal of Saudi Arabia knocked off Al-Rayyan 4-3 on the road.

At Tehran, Iran:

Mehdi Taremi produced a hat trick (20', 54', 70') as Persepolis doubled up visiting Al-Wahda 4-2.

Group D Standings:

1. Al-Hilal (GP: 6; GD: +3; PTS: 12)
2. Persepolis (GP: 6; GD: +1; PTS: 9)
3. Al-Rayyan (GP: 6; GD: -3; PTS: 7)
4. Al-Wahda (GP: 6; GD: -1; PTS: 4)

Al-Hilal and Persepolis advanced to the knockout stage.