Former Brazil international Rivaldo scored as big-spending Bunyodkor began their Asian Champions League (ACL) campaign with a 3-0 win over Al-Ittihad yesterday.
The Uzbek club, coached by former Brazil World Cup-winning manager Luiz Felipe Scolari, got off to a strong start in Group B with a home victory against their Saudi Arabian opponents.
Japan’s Kashima Antlers, South Korea’s Seongnam Ilhwa and China’s Beijing Guoan were also winners on the opening day of the group stage.
PHOTO: AFP
Rivaldo, part of the Brazil side that won the 2002 World Cup under Scolari, put Bunyodkor ahead in the fourth minute.
Uzbekistan international Jasur Hasanov doubled the advantage in the 21st minute, and Brazilian striker Denilson completed the scoring in the 67th minute. Denilson — namesake of the player who formerly was the world’s most expensive player — was making his first appearance for Bunyodkor in the ACL.
Iran’s Zob Ahan and Abu Dhabi’s Al-Wahda, the other clubs in Group B, played later yesterday.
Kashima had a 1-0 home win over China’s Changchun Yatai in Group F, with the winner coming via a 43rd minute header from Japan international Koji Nakata.
The other teams in Group F, Indonesia’s Persipura Jayapura and South Korea’s Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors, were playing later yesterday.
In South Korea, Seongnam were 2-0 winners over Japan’s Kawasaki Frontale. The hosts went ahead in the 34th minute when striker Dzenan Radoncic played a through ball for Mauricio Molina and the midfielder slid home the opener.
Their roles were reversed for the second goal in the 78th minute as Molina teed up Radoncic’s powerful finish.
In the other Group E game, Beijing Guoan were 1-0 home winners over Australia’s Melbourne Victory.
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