Kuala Lumpur: Former continental champions Urawa Red Diamonds, Al Ain, Guangzhou Evergrande, Al Hilal along with Japan’s Kawasaki Frontale, Saudi Arabian club Al Ahli, Persepolis of Islamic Republic of Iran and China’s Shanghai SIPG all secured qualification for the quarter-finals of the 2017 AFC Champions League this week.
2007 winners Urawa recorded a 3-2 aggregate victory over Korea Republic’s Jeju United after winning Wednesday’s second-leg 3-0 at home, while Al Hilal, Al Ain, Persepolis, Shanghai SIPG, Kawasaki and Al Ahli also tallied victories to win their ties and advance to the last eight.
Two-time winners Guangzhou were beaten 2-1 by Kashima Antlers in the second-leg in Japan on Tuesday but will join the others in the June 6 draw in Kuala Lumpur after going through on away goals following a 2-2 aggregate scoreline.
Shanghai earned a second successive place in the quarter-finals after beating compatriots Jiangsu FC 3-2 on Wednesday to seal their place in the last eight with a 5-3 aggregate win after Hulk scored in the 94th minute to record back-to-back victories over their domestic rivals.
Last year’s finalists Al Ain, meanwhile, crushed former continental champions Esteghlal of Iran 6-1 at Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium on Monday to complete a 6-2 aggregate win and wipe out their 1-0 loss in the first meeting at Azadi Stadium.
Al Hilal, meanwhile, also eliminated Iranian opposition in the form of debutants Esteghlal Khouzestan in Qatar on Tuesday. Having won 2-1 in Oman in the first-leg, the Saudi Pro League side qualified for the quarter-finals of the AFC Champions League for the sixth time after goals from Omar Kharbin and Salem Al Dawsari secured a second 2-1 scoreline.
Elsewhere, Kawasaki cruised past Thailand’s Muangthong United after a 4-1 second-leg win in the last 16 on Tuesday helped the J.League club claim a 7-2 aggregate victory.
Saudi Arabia’s Al Ahli defeated their namesakes from the United Arab Emirates to move into the quarter-finals for the fourth time after goals from Taiseer Al Jassam, Housain Al Mogahwi and Saad Abdulamir secured a 3-1 victory and took the 2012 finalists into the last eight with a 4-2 aggregate win.
Persepolis, however, were made to work for their maiden place the quarter-finals, with Branko Ivankovic’s side advancing by the slimmest of margins after a Chico Flores own-goal saw the Iranian champions squeeze through 1-0 on aggregate ahead of Qatar Stars League side Lekhwiya.
Photo: Lagardère Sports
Source: the-afc.com