A TV grab of Bunyodkor players celebrating their win over Qatar’s El Jaish in Doha yesterday. The visitors won 3-1 in a penalty shoot-out to book a place in the AFC Champions League Group Stage.
Bunyodkor of Uzbekistan defeated 2016 AFC Champions League semi-finalists El Jaish 3-1 on penalties to secure a spot in the AFC Champions League Group Stage in Doha yesterday.
At the end of full time play, the teams were locked goalless and the 30 minutes of extra time also failed to break the deadlock.
In the penalty shoot-out, El Jaish failed with the first two kicks.
Romarinho hit the left post with a right footed shot and Sardor Rashidov shot was saved by the keeper and Mohamed Mathnani scored the third one for El Jaish but Majdi Siddiq failed in the fourth kick to give the visitors a victory and a place in the next stage.
Bunyodkor found the net through Dostonbek Khamdamov, Rustamjon Ashurmatov and Eldor Shomurodov.
Elsewhere, Shanghai SIPG booked their place in the Group Stage for a second year running after a 3-0 win over Thailand's Sukhothai FC at Shanghai Stadium yesterday.
First-half goals from Brazilian imports Oscar and Elkeson and an unfortunate own goal to Kiattisak Toopkhuntod after the break was enough to give Andres Villas-Boas' side clear victory and a place in Group F alongside Korea Republic's FC Seoul and former competition winners Urawa Red Diamonds of Japan and Western Sydney Wanderers of Australia.
First-timers Sukhothai have been eliminated from AFC competition but can hold their heads up high after a debut campaign that saw them beat Myanmar's Yadanarbon 5-0 in Preliminary Round 2.
In Osaka, Gamba Osaka booked their place in the Group Stage as Kenta Hasegawa’s side handed former AFC Cup champions Johor Darul Ta’zim a 3-0 defeat in their Play-off encounter at Suita City Football Stadium.
Ademilson and Shun Nagasawa gave the 2008 champions a two-goal lead at half time with goals in the 26th and 29th minutes respectively before Genta Miura added a third 20 minutes from time as Gamba sealed their spot in Group H alongside Adelaide United of Australia, China’s Jiangsu Suning and Jeju United from Korea Republic.
Meanwhile, Former winners Ulsan Hyundai qualified for the Group Stage after a 4-3 penalty shoot-out victory over Hong Kong side Kitchee who nearly pulled off the shock of the Play-offs at Ulsan Munsu Football Stadium yesterday.
Ulsan captain Kim Sung-hwan had given his side the lead in first half injury time but Kitchee defender Kim Bong-jin drew the scores level after the restart with a bullet header and the 1-1 deadlock endured for the remainder of the half and extra-time.
But after Lee Ki-jie and Alex Akande failed to convert from 12 yards for either side, Kitchee’s fifth and final penalty taken by Fernando was saved by Kim Yong-dae to take the 2012 winners into Group E where they will meet Kashima Antlers, Muangthong United and the winner of today’s Play-off between Shanghai Shenhua and Brisbane Roar.
