By Michael Church
HONG KONG (Reuters) – Shabab Al Ahli of the United Arab Emirates will face Saudi Pro League side Al-Nassr for a berth in the group phase of the Asian Champions League next week after the club from Dubai defeated Al-Wehdat 3-0 in a playoff on Tuesday.
Cristiano Ronaldo and Al-Nassr his team mates will host the 2015 Asian Champions League runners-up in Riyadh next Tuesday after second half goals from Azizjon Ganiev, Renan and Munas Dabbur earned Shabab Al-Ahli victory over the Jordanians.
Sharjah also progressed with Luanzinho scoring twice in a 2-0 win over India’s Bashundhara Kings and the Emiratis will play Tractor club of Iran in the next round.
Uzbekistan’s AGMK held on to record a 1-0 win over Al-Seeb from Oman despite Martin Boakye’s 73rd minute sending off. Khurshid Giyosov scored the game’s only goal two minutes into the second half to set up a clash with Qatari side Al-Arabi.
In the eastern side of the draw, Vietnam’s Haiphong equalised in the 88th to take their game against Hong Kong Rangers into extra time and they went on to win 4-1 win.
Yumemi Kanda gave the Hong Kong Premier League side the lead four minutes before halftime but Nguyen Tuan Anh levelled with two minutes left when he scored on the rebound following Yuri Mamute’s saved penalty.
Mamute netted twice in the second period of extra time and Martin Lo was also on target as Haiphong progressed.
Haiphong will play Incheon United from South Korea next week while defending champions Urawa Red Diamonds will find out their opponents on Wednesday when Lee Man host Bali United from Indonesia in Hong Kong.
The draw for the group phase of the Asian Champions League will be held in Kuala Lumpur on Aug. 24 with matches kicking off on Sept. 18.
(Reporting by Michael Church, Editing by Ken Ferris)
