Al-Jazira through as race for last 16 intensifies

Reigning UAE Pro League champions Al-Jazira became the first team to qualify for the Round of 16 of the AFC Champions League this week, with the race for the remaining places in the knockout stage set for a thrilling climax next month. Ricardo Oliveira’s second half equalizer ensured Al-Jazira maintained their unbeaten record in Group A after Arash Borhani had put Iran’s Esteghlal ahead midway through the first half at Mohammed Bin Zayed Stadium. Needing just a point to advance to the Round of 16 for the first time after beginning the campaign with three consecutive wins, Al-Jazira also became the first club from the United Arab Emirates to qualify for the knockout stage since Al Wahda in 2007. "The draw was good for us because we are the first team to secure our place in the knockout stage and we made history by this achievement. I am extremely pleased with this and I want to thank all the players and our fans," said Al-Jazira’s Brazilian coach Caio Junior. "Despite securing our place in the next round, we will continue with good motivation in the last two matches and we will play with our complete strength in order to finish on top of the group."  Al Rayyan moved a point clear of Esteghlal into second place in Group A with two games remaining after Rodrigo Tabat’s spectacular long-range free-kick saw the Qatari side secure their first ever away win in the AFC Champions League with a 1-0 victory over Nasaf in Uzbekistan. All but two of the remaining teams – Nasaf and Al Arabi from Qatar – retain hope of a place in the last 16 with two games remaining and heavyweights Al-Ittihad and Piroozi, along with Japan’s FC Tokyo and Korea Republic’s Ulsan Hyundai, are within touching distance of qualification. In Group B, two-time winners Al-Ittihad earned a goalless draw with debutants Baniyas in Abu Dhabi which leaves the Saudi side five points clear of the Emiratis, who slipped down to third after Pakhtakor beat Al Arabi – who are the only team yet to pick up a point in the competition. Temurkhuja Abdukholiqov scored the only goal four minutes before half-time at the Grand Hamad Stadium as Pakhtakor recorded back-to-back wins over Qatar’s Al Arabi to move two points clear of Baniyas. Iran’s Piroozi, meanwhile, were denied securing qualification with two games to spare after Lawrence Quaye’s stunning stoppage-time equalizer earned 10-man Al Gharafa a 1-1 draw in front of 96,200 at Azadi Stadium in Tehran. With Moroccan striker Youssef El Arabi scoring twice as Saudi Arabia’s Al-Hilal came from a goal down to beat Al-Shabab Al Arabi 2-1 to record their first victory of the campaign, Piroozi remain five points clear of third placed Al Gharafa. In the East, Emperor's Cup winners FC Tokyo and Ulsan moved to within a point of securing a place in the last 16 after the pair went six points clear of China’s Beijing Guoan and Australia’s Brisbane Roar. Kazuma Watanabe, Yohei Otake and Tatsuya Yazawa scored to ensure FC Tokyo remain unbeaten in their first-ever season of continental competition, while a penalty from captain Kwak Tae-hwi with 17 minutes remaining earned Ulsan a 2-1 win over A-League Grand Finalists Brisbane. FC Tokyo entertain Brisbane in two weeks’ time, while Ulsan travel to Beijing with both sides knowing a draw will be enough to secure passage to the last 16 and set-up a Matchday Six showdown between the pair for top spot and home advantage in the next round. In Group H, Chinese Super League champions Guangzhou Evergrande moved a point clear at the top of the table after Brazilian striker Muriqui scored twice to secure a 3-1 win over Japanese counterparts Kashiwa Reysol. With Korea Republic's Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors beating Buriram United 3-2 thanks to Park Won-jae’s 80th minute winner as the 2006 champions joined the Thai treble winners on six points, Kashiwa slipped two points off the pace at the foot of the table. Adelaide United moved three points clear at the top of Group E after a last minute own goal from Serbian defender Zoran Rendulic handed the A-League side a 1-0 win over Korea’s Pohang Steelers. The Reds’ third win in four games leaves the 2008 finalists within sight of securing a place in the last 16 for the third time in four appearances since 2007, with Uzbekistan champions Bunyodkor joining Pohang in second place after posting a 3-2 win over Japan’s Gamba Osaka. Elsewhere, goals from Abdulrahim Jezawi, Victor Simoes and Kamil Al Mousa saw Saudi League runners-up Al Ahli move to the top of Group C on goal difference after securing a 3-1 comeback win over Al Nasr of the United Arab Emirates. The Jeddah club moved level on seven points with Iranian league leaders Sepahan, who lost 1-0 to Qatari champions Lekhwiya after Bakari Kone scored in stoppage time in Doha. Finally, 2010 winners Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma picked up their first win of the 2012 campaign with a comprehensive 5-0 Central Coast Mariners to move top of Group G on goal difference after Keiji Tamada’s missed penalty forced Japan’s Nagoya Grampus to settle for a goalless draw at home to China’s Tianjin Teda.