TOKYO: Defending champions Pohang Steelers, 2008 runners-up Adelaide United, former champions Gamba Osaka and Saudi giants Al Hilal secured places in the AFC Champions League knockout round on Tuesday.Steelers of South Korea fought it out to a goalless draw with Australia’s Adelaide for a total of 10 points each.
The result left Sanfrecce Hiroshima of Japan and Shandong Luneng of China out of the running in Group H.
Japan’s Gamba scored a decider in injury time for a 2-1 win over Suwon Bluewings of South Korea, who booked their place in the last 16 two weeks ago. Osaka now have 11 points and Suwon 10 in Group G.
They join South Korea’s Seongnam Ilhwa and Jeonbuk Motors, and J-League champions Kashima Antlers in the round of 16 starting May 11-12.
Both Osaka and Suwon were quick on the counter-attack, with the Korean side coming close in the first half through Chinese defender Li Weifeng and Brazilian striker Jose Mota.
The Koreans opened the scoring in the 58th minute when Jose Mota nodded home from a corner.
But only two minutes later Osaka drew level as up-and-coming midfielder Takashi Usami played in Takahiro Futagawa to score, with Usami netting the winner in stoppage time.
“Our hurdle was to reach the next round today. My players played a tough game. They never gave up until the end, trying to win three points and they made it. I’m happy about it,” said Osaka coach Akira Nishino.
In the other early games, Lee Tadanari scored a brace to give Hiroshima a 3-2 win over Shandong, while Erwan Gunawan’s strike gave Singapore Armed Forces their first win as they beat Henan Jianye of China 2-1 in Group G.
In Group D, Al Hilal secured their place in the next stage after drawing 0-0 at home to second-placed Al Sadd of Qatar, with the added bonus of being assured of topping the group and with it home advantage in the last 16.
Al Sadd remain favourites to take the second qualifying spot as they host bottom side Al Ahli of the United Arab Emirates in the final group match on April 27.
Al Ahli had earlier recorded their first win of the campaign with a 2-1 victory at home to Iranians Mes Kerman that assured Al Hilal of a place in the next round and left Mes Kerman a point adrift of Al Sadd in third place.
In Group C, bottom-placed Al Ain of the UAE saw their hopes of reaching the next stage disappear as a hat-trick by midfielder Odil Ahmedov gave Uzbek side Pakhtakor a 3-2 victory.
Victory put Pakhtakor top of the table after previous pool leaders Al Shabab lost 1-0 away at Iranian side Sepahan and thereby missed out on booking their place in the next round before the final round of group matches.
Al Shabab risk missing out altogether as they are now third, a point adrift of Sepahan, who travel to Al Ain in the final group game.
Al Shabab host Pakhtakor, who need a point to reach the second phase. — AFP