It was a misty start to the game as the two sides battled it out in the half with nothing to show for it. However, the tide turned and in the 70th minute, Jeddah National broke through with a clever assist from Mahrez and Ivan Toni's header to make it 1-0, followed by a second assist from Mahrez in the 74th minute and Ivan Toni's second of the game to make it 2-0, but Al Ain recovered in the 92nd minute when Kaku fired in a precise shot to make it 1-2. In the end, 1-2, they failed to draw level with their opponents.
The fruits of victory, Jeddah National's five consecutive victories were fruitful as 15 points were amassed to leapfrog Riyadh Crescent to the top of the West Asian zone standings. With a 13-point lead over ninth-placed Persepolis, they locked up a place in the last 16 three rounds ahead of schedule, becoming the first team to advance to the knockout stages of this season's AFC Champions League.
Tehran Independence played against Tashkent Cotton Farmers, and both teams were as mute as they were weak in both offense and defense. Tehran Independence had 60% of the ball but only took 5 shots, hitting the target 3 times, while Tashkent Meanwhile, Tashkent Meanwhile took 5 shots, but none of them hit the target. 0-0, this battle ended in a draw.
The East Asian Division is back in action tonight with four exciting matches, Ulsan Hyundai vs Shanghai Harbor (18:00), Kobe Sungai Marine vs Chuo Coastal Mariners (18:00), Shandong Taishan vs Johor Bahru (20:00), and Buriram United vs Kawasaki Frontale (20:00).
Shanghai Harbour are away to South Korean rivals Ulsan Hyundai, who have lost four in a row to start the season, can the Chinese Super League champions take advantage of the situation to take all three points? Shandong Taishan are in their home finale following the suspension of manager Choi Kang-hee.
