Former Asian champions Pohang Steelers continue to look for their first win of the 2009 Asian Champions League campaign after being held 1-1 at home by Kawasaki Frontale.
Shuhei Terada scored for the J.League side in the 22nd minute to cancel out Kim Jae-sung’s 10th-minute opener in the Group H encounter.
Pohang, which was held to a 0-0 draw by Central Coast Mariners on the opening day of the competition, let itself down in front of goal despite dominating in front of its own fans.
The hosts were on top in the early exchanges and were soon in front when Macedonian striker Stevo Ristic fed the ball through for Kim, who slotted past Eiji Kawashima in the Frontale goal.
The lead lasted just 12 minutes, however, after Juninho’s shot was pushed behind for a corner by Shin Hwa-yong and Terada headed home Victor Jr’s cross.
Brazilian midfielder Denilson proved a constant threat for the home side but he was unable to translate that promise into another goal for Pohang and, with seven minutes to go, Frontale almost took all three points only for Ristic to squander an opportunity when he was one on one with Shin.
Pohang will continue its search for three points at home to Tianjin Teda on April 8 while Kawasaki, which kicked off its campaign with a win over Tianjin Teda last week, travel to Australia to tackle the Mariners.
Kashima Antlers got their Asian Champions League campaign up and running by defeating 10-man Shanghai Shenhua 2-0 at Kashima Soccer Stadium.
Takuya Nozawa put the Japanese side ahead in this Group G encounter just before half-time before Shanghai skipper Du Wei saw red midway through the second period. Teenager Yuya Osako then made the points safe for the hosts in the 79th minute.
A second-half Edu brace ended Singapore Armed Forces’ stubborn resistance as Suwon Bluewings maintained their perfect start to the Asian Champions League with a 2-0 win at Jalan Besar Stadium.
The Brazilian scored from the spot in the 65th minute before grabbing his second six minutes later to ensure the under-strength Koreans picked up their second win in as many games in Group G.
Esteghlal was denied its first win in this year’s Asian Champions League as it was held to a 1-1 draw at home to Al Jazira at Azadi Stadium.
The hosts fell behind early in the game as Fernando Baiano struck before they levelled the scores in the third minute of first-half stoppage time through Hossein Kazemi to ensure a share of the spoils in this Group C encounter.
Al Ittihad came from a goal down to overcome Umm Salal 3-1 and maintain its perfect record in Group C of the Asian Champions League.
After Moussa N`Diaye had put the home side in front with a spectacular effort, the Saudis hit back with goals from Hamad Al Montashari, Renato and Hicham Aboucherouane to seal a second successive triumph for Gabriel Calderon’s men.
Two first-half goals secured victory for Al Shabab over Bunyodkor of Uzbekistan in their second Asian Champions League game at Al Maktoum Stadium.
Essa Obaid opened the scoring for the hosts after three minutes before Zimbabwe striker Musawekosi Mguni sealed a first win for Al Shabab in Group D when he struck six minutes before the break.
