Japan, Saudi clubs steal the show

1.807081-181343413 — Bare of Al Jazira (right) gets the better of Iran club Sepahan’s defender on his way to score the only goal for his team during their AFC match at Mohammad Bin Zayed Stadium at Al Jazira Sports Club in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday night. Sepahan won the match 4-1. Image Credit: Abdul Rahman/Gulf News

Abu Dhabi: While all four UAE clubs failed to advance to the last 16 of the AFC Champions League, Asian Champions Japan and Saudi Arabia saw all four of their representatives advance to the knockout round of 16.

Gamba Osaka, Cerezo Osaka, Kashima Antlers and Nagoya Grampus advanced to next round, thereby reflecting the might of Asian champions Japan. Saudi Arabia, who had one of their poorest Asian Cup campaigns in Doha earlier this year, Al Ittihad, Al Hilal, Al Shabab and Al Nasr did the West Asian country proud with their progress into the next round.

With 2010 winner Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma failing to make it to this year's ACL, former winners Jeonbuk Motors, FC Seoul and Suwon Bluewings ensured South Korea stay in the hunt with three clubs while Zobahan, last year's runners-up from Iran along with Sepahan will fly Iran's flag.

Line-up

Qatar's Al Sadd, China's Tianjin Teda and Uzbekistan's Bunyodkor complete the 16-strong line up with a single knockout match on May 24 and 25 to decide the last eight.

In two key last 16 match-ups, two-time winners Al Ittihad, who topped Group C, will host arch-rivals and Saudi League champions Al Hilal in an all-Saudi encounter and similarly in an all-Japan encounter, 2008 champions Gamba Osaka will clash with Cerezo Osaka.

On Wednesday night, 2003 ACL champions Al Ain restored some pride in front of their home fans when they spoiled group leader Nagoya Grampus' party. Nagoya were looking to win and top their group to play their last 16 game at home but Al Ain's young stars dashed those hopes with a 3-1 win.

After Hamad Al Merri volleyed Al Ain into the lead in the 21st minute, Brazilian striker Elias Ribiero made it 2-0 in the 38th minute. Grampus pulled one back soon after the break through Jungo Fujimoto. But hosts Al Ain made it 3-1 when Ribiero converted a penalty after Genta Matsuo brought down Haddaf Abdullah inside the box.

Goal down

In another group game played at the Mohammad Bin Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi, Iran's Sepahan rallied from a goal down to finish 4-1 winners and Group A leaders.

Javad Kazemian equalised for Sepahan after Bare's goal gave Al Jazira the lead and in the second half Senegal's Ebrahim Toure scored twice and Gholam Reza Enayati completed the 4-1 win for the Iranian champions.

The last 16 (one-off knockout matchups) in the AFC Champions League 2011:

May 24