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Mixed fortunes for Aussies in cup competition

Richie Alagich, right, of Adelaide United and Aleksandar Zivkovic of Shandong Luneng Taishan in action during the AFC Champions League match in Adelaide on Wednesday. PHOTO: EPA

The two entrants from Australia, which joined the Asian confederation last year, had mixed results in their first foray into the Asian Champions League on Wednesday.

In group E, an own-goal by Michael Vilkanis in the 47th minute led Chinese Super League champion Shandong Luneng to victory against Adelaide United.

Li Jinyu had a glancing header off a corner that appeared to be going wide before bouncing off the thigh of Vilkanis and past Adelaide goalkeeper Daniel Beltrame.

However, in group G, Steve Corica and Ufuk Talay scored first-half goals for Sydney FC and rescued Australia's pride with a victory at Shanghai.

Mehdi Seyed Salehi rescued some of Iran's pride, scoring two goals in 10 minutes to lead Foolad Sepahan to a 2-1 victory over Syria's Al Ittihad.

The win gave Iran's only remaining club a victorious start to the competition after former champion Esteghlal were expelled for violating player registration requirements.

Also in Group D, former champion Al Ain had a rough start, losing its opening match to visiting Al Shabab of Saudi Arabia 2-0.

In Esfahan, Iran, Anas al-Sari put Al Ittihad ahead with a header from a corner in the 14th minute.

Salehi equalized six minutes later and added the winner in the 30th.

In Homs, Syria, last year's runner-up Al Karama rallied with two goals in the final 19 minutes to beat Al Sadd.

Majed al-Mohammad gave Al Sadd the lead in the 22nd minute, but Sanghor Koupouleni equalized in the 71st and Fahd al-Akari added the winner in the 84th.

Al Hilal drew the rebuke of its own chairman, Saudi Prince Mohammed bin Saud, who criticized his club after it allowed a 90th-minute goal and settled for a 1-1 draw in Riyadh.

Defender Fahad Shaheen capitalized on a visibly tiring Al Hilal for the equalizer.

Rodrigo Afleh gave Al Hilal the lead in the 16th minute, highlighting an evenly played first half. But Al Kuwait dominated the final 45 minutes, creating three very good opportunities before scoring.

Bin Saud denounced his team as "undeserving to play in the name of Saudi Arabia."
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