Worldfootballinsider - With the Group Stage of the AFC Champions League finishing less than a week ago, there is no let-up in the action as the knockout stage kicks off in style on Tuesday as three-time Iran Pro League champions Sepahan entertain domestic rivals Esteghlal.
Fresh from securing the Iran Pro League title for a third consecutive season after edging out Esteghlal and Tractor Sazi by just one point, Sepahan qualified for the last 16 for a second year in a row as Group C winners following a 2-1 home win over Saudi Arabia’s Al Ahli on Tuesday.
Defender Mohsen Bengar headed in the winner with four minutes remaining as Sepahan leapfrogged Al Ahli to earn a home tie with Esteghlal at Foolad Shahr Stadium.
Albanian striker Xhevahir Sukaj was also on target with his second goal of the campaign against Al Ahli, while Brazilian frontman Bruno Correa is Sepahan’s top scorer in the competition with four goals in six games.
Esteghlal, who had to win two play-off matches to earn a place in the Group Stage for a fourth straight season, secured a runner-up finish in Group A behind Al Jazira of the United Arab Emirates with a 2-0 win over 2011 AFC Cup winners Nasaf in Uzbekistan.
Goran Jerkovic and and Mojtaba Jabari were on target at Karshi Central Stadium to earn Esteghlal a return to the last 16 for the second time after missing out in 2011 on goal difference.
With the last 16 ties in the West brought forward one week to allow the national teams from the Middle East extra-time to prepare for next month’s FIFA World Cup qualifiers, Group A winners and 2011 UAE Pro League champions Al Jazira also entertain Al Ahli on Tuesday.
After becoming the first side to qualify for the Round of 16 with two games to spare, Al Jazira completed their unbeaten Group Stage campaign on Wednesday as Brazilian forward Ricardo Oliveira scored all four goals as Caio Junior’s side claimed their fifth victory in six games by edging out Al Rayyan of Qatar in a seven-goal thriller.
With Oliveira adding to his hat-trick against Nasaf, the former Valencia and AC Milan striker leapt to the top of the goalscoring charts with his 10 goals in just six games during the Group Stage leaving Al Jazira as the most prolific side in competition.
Despite their final day defeat, 1986 Asian Club Championship finalists Al Ahli will, though, be confident of matching their run to the 2005 quarter-finals with Oman striker Amad Al Hosni having scored 15 goals in 22 appearances as Karel Jarolim’s side finished as runners-up in the Saudi League to Al Shabab.
Al Hosni only found the net once during the Group Stage, but Brazilian striker Victor Simoes was on target on four occasions as Al Ahli won three of their six games to finally advance from the Group Stage after falling short on their last two appearances in 2008 and 2010.
And the last 16 of the AFC Champions League continues on Wednesday with two-time winners Al Ittihad entertaining Iran’s Piroozi in another highly-anticipated tie, while fellow Saudi heavyweights Al Hilal welcome tournament debutants Baniyas to Riyadh.
With the draw for the quarter-finals taking place in Kuala Lumpur on June 14, Australia’s Adelaide United entertain Japan’s Nagoya Grampus, while 2010 champions Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma face Uzbekistan’s Bunyodkor later this month.
Also in the last 16, Japanese Emperor’s Cup winners FC Tokyo travel to take on Chinese Super League champions Guangzhou Evergrande, while Ulsan Hyundai entertain J.League champions Kashiwa Reysol.