DOHA: Qatar’s Al Gharafa reached the last-16 stage of the AFC Champions League, after drawing 2-2 against Saudi Arabia’s Al Ahli, yesterday.
Alex gave the home side the lead in the 24th minute, before the visitors equalised through Emad Al Hosani.
Djbril Cisse, signed from English Premier League side Queens Park Rangers, restored the lead in the 54th minute, but the Saudi Arabian club equalised 22 minutes from time, in what proved to be the final goal of the game.
The result leaves Al Gharafa in second place with 10 points, four points ahead of Sepahan, who cannot catch the Qatari side.
Elsewhere, Al Rayyan suffered a big blow in hoping to advance to the knock-out stages, after losing 3-0 against Esteghlal.
The Qatari side conceded goals in the 45th, 73rd and 91st minute.
The result leaves Diego Aguirre’s side rooted bottom of Group D, with only one match remaining.
Meanwhile, Japan’s Kashiwa Reysol grabbed their place in the last-16 as Michael McGlinchey lifted Australian hopes with a late winner for Central Coast Mariners against Suwon Bluewings.
A 1-1 draw with China’s Guizhou Renhe was enough for Group H table-toppers Kashiwa, who sealed their progression with a solitary point after Tatsuya Masushima’s second-half strike was cancelled out by Li Kai.
The Emperor’s Cup-holders become just the third team to reach next month’s knock-out phase in what is a frantic finish to the group stage with 27 clubs still in the running in the penultimate week.
Behind them Australia’s Mariners, the newly crowned A-League champions, climbed to second in Group H and dashed Suwon’s hopes after their 1-0 away win which was sealed in the 80th minute and against the run of play.
Substitute McGlinchey ran onto a ball over the top of the defence and bounced in his shot off goalkeeper Jung Sung-Ryong, as Suwon were left to rue their inability to capitalise on large amounts of possession.
The hosts had gone close through Stevica Ristikj, whose close-range half-volley was saved in the first half, and North Korean striker Jong Tae-Se, who grazed a stanchion with a sizzling effort after the break.
In Kashiwa, proceedings got off to a sombre start with a minute’s silence for the victims of this week’s deadly earthquake in Sichuan, which neighbours Guizhou province.
After play got under way, Masushima’s shot from a rebounding free kick put the hosts ahead on 50 minutes. But Guizhou defender Li equalised with five minutes left to put his team third, two points behind the Mariners, with one game left.
“It was tough in the first half, because we made many mistakes,” said Kashiwa’s Brazilian coach, Nelsinho. “God gave us today’s result. We also received a gift that we got past the group round.”
Elsewhere, Beijing Guoan ensured their chances of advancing to the Round of 16 of the 2013 AFC Champions League remain in their own hands thanks to a 2-0 win over former champions Pohang Steelers at Workers’ Stadium
The victory moves Beijing ahead of Pohang in the Group G standings with one round remaining, in which Guoan will meet already eliminated Sanfrecce Hiroshima while Pohang will entertain Bunyodkor.
Three points against the J.League champions will see Beijing advance to the last 16 for the first time since 2010 and Tuesday’s win came courtesy of goals from Joffre Guerron and substitute Shao Jiayi in the second half.
Pohang had the better of a relatively lacklustre opening 45 minutes with Shin Jin-ho’s effort finding the top of the net eight minutes before the interval while three minutes later No Byung-jun’s free kick curled just wide.
The second half was only three minutes old before Beijing took the lead. Guerron played the ball to Freddy Kanoute, whose return was cut out by Kim Won-il, only for Guerron to reclaim possession and roll the ball weakly beyond Shin Hwa-yong.
With three minutes remaining, Beijing finally claimed the second goal that wrapped up the three points. AGENCIES
