By Mohamed Al-Kinani and agencies
JEDDAH – Saudi clubs Al-Ittihad and Al-Ahli made disastrous starts to their Asian Champions League campaigns Tuesday.
While Al-Ittihad was routed 3-0 by big-spending Uzbek club Bunyodkor in an away match, Al-Ahli missed a penalty on way to a 2-1 defeat at the hands of Iranian side Esteghlal at home here.
The Uzbek side, coached by former Brazil World Cup-winning manager Luiz Felipe Scolari, got off to a strong start in Group B with a home victory against the former two-time champion from Saudi Arabia.
Former Brazil international Rivaldo, who was part of the Brazil side that won the 2002 World Cup under Scolari, put Bunyodkor ahead in the fourth minute.
Midfielder Jasur Hasanov doubled the advantage in the 21st, and Brazilian striker Denilson completed the scoring in the 67th. Denilson – namesake of the player who formerly was the world’s most expensive player – was making his first appearance for Bunyodkor in the ACL after helping Pohang Steelers win the competition last year.
Mohammed Noor missed a penalty in injury time.
In the other Group B match, Iran’s Zob Ahan began its second stint in the league with a 1-0 win over Abu Dhabi’s Al-Wahda striker Igor Castro’s score on the hour.
Ahli went down fighting against Esteghlal of Iran in Group A. Skipper Farhad Majidi scored in the 12th and 76th minutes for the visitors. Substitute Hasan Al-Rahib scored for Al-Ahli in the 85th.
Esteghlal keeper Mohammed Mohammadi was the man of the match as he kept Ahli players at bay most of the time.
He committed one mistake during the match when he brought down Abdurraheem Al-Jaizawi inside the box in the 68th minute. He, however, corrected that by denying Marcinho da Silva spot kick.
The defeat must have come as a shock to Ahli coach Sergio Farias, who won the title last year with Korea’s Pohang Steelers.
Addressing the press after the match Farias asked the fans to show patience saying that he has been with the team only for a month and players need experience for such tournaments. “The championship is tough and any participating team should have enough experience,” he said.
Despite the loss he praised his players’ efforts and said they were unlucky to have missed so many chances. “Congratulations to Esteghlal, but still have the away encounter,” he said.
In the other Group A encounter Qatar’s Al-Gharafa won 2-1 at Al-Jazira of the UAE with a 17th-minute goal from Othman Al-Assas and another in the 53rd from Younis Mahmoud. Rafael Sobis pulled one back for the hosts in the 56th at Mohamed Bin Zayed Stadium.
Japan’s Kashima Antlers, South Korea’s Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors and Seongnam Ilhwa and China’s Beijing Guoan were also winners on the opening day of the group stage.
Kashima had a 1-0 home win over China’s Changchun Yatai in Group F, with the winner coming via a 43rd-minute header from midfielder Koji Nakata, who was back with the Antlers after spells with Marseille and Basel.
Replacement Kruno Lovrek posted a hat trick as 2007 champion Jeonbuk cruised past Persipura Jayapura of Indonesia 4-1 at Gelora Bung Karno Stadium.
Kim Seung-yong’s penalty started off Jeonbuk before Lovrek was sent in midway through the first half and scored two minutes later.
Lovrek notched his second in the 66th, and after Ian Kabes replied for Persipura a minute later, Lovrek hit home his third with nine minutes to go.
In South Korea, Seongnam was 2-0 winner over Japan’s Kawasaki Frontale.
In the other Group E game, Beijing Guoan was 1-0 home winner over Australia’s Melbourne Victory.
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