Matchday three of the AFC Champions League and AFC Cup continued overnight. Here are some of the biggest results so far.
Aussie connection shines in Mohun draw
Dimitri Petratos and Jason Cummings showed off their Australian connection again as Indian champions Mohun Bagan were held to a 2-2 draw by Bashundhara Kings in the AFC Cup.
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Mohun – the reigning Indian Super League champions – came into the contest with back-to-back wins in Group D, however, they were twice pegged back by the Bangladeshi visitors.
A pair of A-Leagues champions got the ball rolling for Mohun on Tuesday (Wednesday AEDT).
Cummings, who guided Central Coast Mariners to the Isuzu UTE A-League Championship last season, was the provider in the 29th minute.
The Socceroo received the ball just outside the six-yard box and squared a pass to 2012-13 A-Leagues champion Petratos and the former Brisbane Roar and Newcastle Jets striker made no mistake.
It was his third goal of the campaign and fifth in all competitions for Mohun, who were captained by ex-A-League Men defender Brendan Hamill.
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Bashundhara equalised four minutes later before Petratos teed up Asish Rai in the 54th minute, only for Mohun to concede again with 20 minutes remaining.
Speaking after the match, Mohun Bagan boss Juan Ferrando was fuming about the refereeing in the match, which saw Petratos denied another assist after Liston Colaco’s 20th minute strike was incorrectly ruled out for offside.
He was also left unimpressed by the tackle late in the match that saw
In scenes reminiscent of Jose Mourinho’s classic ‘I prefer not to speak’ comments, he said: “The referees… it is better not to talk.
“If the people know what happened in this moment, maybe we have problems between the two countries. I think its better not to talk… I prefer to shut up because I am not so happy about the decisions of the referees.”
“It’s clear, it’s not offside. The second about Anwar (Ali) … the tackle, it’s crazy. It’s not for football tackles. The situation is of Anwar is very difficult in this moment.”
Mohun are top of the group, three points clear of Bashundhara and four ahead of Roy Krishna’s Odisha.
Wellington Phoenix great Krishna joined Odisha this season and the Indian outfit crushed Maziya 6-1.
Ronaldo lights up the Champions League
Cristiano Ronaldo produced a masterclass as Al Nassr defeated Philippe Coutinho’s Al Duhail 4-3 in the AFC Champions League on Wednesday (AEDT).
Ronaldo scored two sensational goals for the Saudi Pro League side, who made it three wins from three games in Group E.
One of the all-time greats, the 38-year-old entered the clash having scored five goals in his previous three games for club and country.
At home to the UAE’s Al Duhail – now led by former Paris Saint-Germain head coach Christophe Galtier – Ronaldo put on a show.
He teed up Taslica for the opening goal of the game in the 25th minute before ex-Liverpool and Bayern Munich forward Sadio Mane doubled the lead in the 56th minute.
Ronaldo then scored from long range to make it 3-0 just past the hour mark and just as Al Nassr appeared to be cruising, Al Duhail netted two quick-fire goals to set up a grandstand finish.
But Ronaldo’s superb volley restored the two-goal cushion as the hosts held on for maximum points.
The Portuguese legend has now scored 15 goals across all competitions this season.
Elsewhere, ex-Perth Glory defender Alex Grant was an unused substitute as Pohang Steelers defeated Champions League holders Urawa Reds 2-0 away from home in Group J on Tuesday (AEDT).
South Korea’s Pohang are now three from three to top the group.
Also on Tuesday, Rostyn Griffith‘s Mumbai City were crushed 6-0 by star-studded Al Hilal in Group D.
