Today's match was difficult. We tried to score as many goals as we could because we were playing at home. We pushed forward from the beginning and we could have scored at least four goals in the first half. The goal which we conceded at the beginning of the second half affected our play. We have the second leg left and what's important is that we return [from Jeddah] having secured qualification.

Man of the Match Khoukhi Boualem insists Al Sadd could have had scored more goals against Al Ahli but the midfielder’s brace in a 2-1 win means the Qatari side travel to Saudi Arabia with a 2-1 lead to defend.

In an all-Chinese Super League match up, neither side could impose themselves on the contest and it remains all to play for ahead of the second leg in Guangzhou next week.

Not content with pipping Esteghlal to second place in the domestic league table this season, Zobahan capitalised on the visitors profligacy to claim a crucial home win – and a clean sheet – ahead of the return fixture in a week’s time.

Kuala Lumpur: A brace in Buriram United’s stunning 3-2 victory over Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors in the first leg of the AFC Champions League Round of 16 on Tuesday has seen Brazilian striker Edgar pick up the Toyota Player of the Week accolade.

The week’s star performer, who joined the Thai side prior to the 2018 campaign, netted a fine header to put Buriram in front early on, before the forward scored the decisive goal following a superb mazy run from the halfway line with 20 minutes remaining as Buriram eventually won 3-2.

In an excellent individual performance, Edgar had four shots on goal, completed 35 passes and scored a rating of 8.4, and Buriram now travel to Korea Republic with real hope of progressing to a first quarter-final since 2013.

Guangzhou Evergrande goalkeeper Zeng Cheng (pictured below) was another player who put in a standout performance as China’s Number 1 kept a clean sheet in his side’s scoreless draw away at domestic rivals Tianjin Quanjian.

The hosts almost stunned Shanghai in the second minute as Yasushi Endo’s cross from the left crashed off the post. 

Oscar came close for the visitors in the ninth minute but Kwoun Sun-tae pulled off an excellent save from his close-range shot.

Ryota Nagaki’s 25-yard strike was tipped over by Yan Junling as Kashima hit back in an action-packed opening. 

Kashima snatched the lead in the 43rd minute when Nagaki’s corner was glanced into the corner by Gen Shoji’s header. Yan Junling clawed the ball out but it may have already crossed the line before Yuma Suzuki smashed home the rebound.

The home side had the first sight of goal, but Frenchman Anthony Modeste powered his shot from just inside the area straight at Zeng Cheng.

Tianjin Quanjian’s Brazilian superstar Alexandre Pato looked dangerous down the left as he regularly got the better of his opponents in an otherwise tight and tense first half of football.

Things opened up a little more in the second half and Alan should’ve given the visitors the lead, but somehow blasted the ball over the bar from close range 10 minutes into the second half.

Zhang Lu then produced a fine save for the home side to deny Yu Hanchao as both teams pushed in search of an opener.

Both teams struggled to create chances in the opening stages as several fouls broke up the play.

In the 20th minute, Ulsan’s Mislav Orsic sent in a fizzing free-kick from distance that bounced awkwardly but Shin Hwa-yong did well to hold the ball.

Suwon responded with a long-range shot from Lee Ki-je but it lacked the power to trouble Oh Seong-hoon.

Waguininho headed Yeom Ki-hun’s cross just wide for the visitors in the 35th minute with what was the best effort of a cagey opening half.

Waguininho was denied by a vital defensive block when he threatened from close range a minute into the second half.

Yohei Toyoda then fired a low shot just wide from the edge of the area as the home side hit back.