Shanghai SIPG' Brazilian midfielder Oscar celebrates after scoring during the AFC Asian Champions League group football match against Australia's Western Sydney Wanderers in Shanghai yesterday.
A last-gasp penalty from substitute Mohammed Shalhoub saw Al Hilal claim a thrilling 2-1 victory over Qatar Stars League side Al Rayyan in Group D of the 2017 AFC Champions League yesterday.
After equalising late on to secure a 1-1 draw with Persepolis on Matchday One, Brazilian Carlos Edurado opened the scoring on three minutes at Prince Faisal Bin Fahd Stadium with a clinical finish from 15 yards after good work from Mohammed Al Burayk down the right.
Rodrigo Tabata’s free-kick came back off the woodwork on 33 minutes while Eduardo’s did likewise five minutes later as the hosts went into the interval a goal to the good, before Sergio Garcia and Sebastian Soria both missed chances after the restart.
But Tabata looked to have secured a hard-earned point for the visitors when he headed in Garcia’s cross with 11 minutes remaining only for Mosaab Kheder to handle Omar Khrbin’s goalbound effort in the fourth minute of added time to allow Shalhoub to win it from the spot at the death.
Elsewhere, Hulk scored one and was involved in a further three goals as Shanghai SIPG stormed to a 5-1 win over Western Sydney Wanderers in Group F of the 2017 AFC Champions League at Shanghai Stadium yesterday to maintain their 100% start in the continental competition.
Meanwhile, an 89th minute penalty converted by Omar Abdulrahman helped last year’s runners-up Al Ain picked up their first win of the League in an exciting 3-2 win away at Bunyodkor yesterday.
The reigning AFC Player of the Year had initially put the Emiratis in front on eight minutes after he curled home a stunning free-kick only for Vadim Cemirtan to restore parity just two minutes later for the Uzbek hosts.
In Saithama, Japan, Urawa Red Diamonds’ attack put their opponents’ defence to the sword in a 5-2 win over FC Seoul yesterday at Saitama Stadium.
Having thrashed Australia's Western Sydney Wanderers 4-0 on Matchday One, the Japanese side needed little time to get going against the Korean visitors with Yuki Muto and Tadanari Lee scoring within the opening 11 minutes.
Elsewhere, a late brace from Mehdi Taremi saw Persepolis come out on top in Tuesday’s topsy-turvy tie following a 3-2 victory over Al Wahda in Group D.
Vahid Amiri put the Iranian visitors ahead with just four minutes on the clock before Al Wahda centre-back Rim Chang-woo hit the crossbar on the 20th minute for the home side.
In Muscaut, Oman, Omar Al Soma’s 86th minute free-kick secured a dramatic late 2-1 win for 10-man Al Ahli of Saudi Arabia over the Islamic Republic of Iran’s Zobahan in Group C yesterday.
