DUBAI — Al-Hilal of Saudi Arabia moved into the Round of 16 of the AFC Champions League defeating Qatari Al-Rayyan 2-0 in Doha Tuesday. An own goal by Mohamed Al-Aaeldin and a diving header from Saad Al-Harthi helped Hilal edge out Al-Ain in Group D and move into the knockout phase. The win moved Hilal onto 12 points from its six group matches and leaves it a point behind Iranian side Esteghlal, which won the group beating Al-Ain 1-0. In a game of few chances, Hilal had to wait until 12 minutes from time before opening the scoring when Al-Aaeldin diverted the ball into his own net after goalkeeper Oumar Barry had saved Nawaf Al-Abid's close range effort. Five minutes later, Al-Harthi doubled Hilal's advantage when he slid in to head home Nawaf Al-Abid's cross from the left beyond Barry. Hilal's Brazilian striker Wesley (Wesley Lopez da Silva) should have given his side the lead late in the first half but failed to convert from the penalty spot, thumping his effort from 12 yards over the crossbar. Sepahan of Iran beat Al-Garrafa of Qatar 3-1 in their Group C encounter. A-League champion Central Coast Mariners also advanced to the second round despite a 3-0 loss to Kashiwa Reysol. The Mariners conceded second-half goals to Kudo Masato and Brazilian pair Cleo and Leandro Domingues but scraped into the round of 16 when last-place Suwon Bluewings held Guizhou Renhe to a 2-2 draw in Group H. Unbeaten Kashiwa topped Group H with 14 points, seven clear of the Mariners and eight ahead of Guizhou, which needed a win at Suwon to have any chance of progressing. Suwon led twice but China's Guizhou scored an 87th-minute equalizer to ensure the standings weren't decided until the last minute of play in the group. Uzbekistan club Bunyodkor finished atop Group G with 10 points following a 1-1 away draw at Pohang Steelers, with Beijing Guoan securing second spot with a 0-0 draw against winless Hiroshima Sanfrecce. The Mariners, who won the Australian title 10 days ago, advanced past the group stage for the first time in three campaigns in the Asian club championship. Central Coast coach Graham Arnold said advancing “softens the blow a bit” for the Mariners. “We're the smallest club in the (A-League). To get to the last 16 is a wonderful achievement.” Captain Daniel McBreen said the Mariners were tired and emotional after playing two Asian Champions League matches since winning the A-League grand final. “Suwon has done us a favor,” McBreen said, adding that the loss to Kashiwa didn't mean much in the scheme of the season. “Not really, we're through. So who cares?” The Mariners face the winner of Group F, which will be determined when leader Guangzhou Evergrande of China plays second-place Jeonbuk Motors Wednesday. — Agencies
