Naft Tehran advanced to the quarter-finals of the AFC Champions League for the first time on Wednesday despite losing 2-1 against Saudi Arabia's Al Ahli at the King Abdullah Sports City. The result was enough to ensure the Iranians notched up a win on the away goals rule after the aggregate score finished in a 2-2 draw, sending Alireza Mansourian's side into the last eight. Padovani (Leandro Padovani Celin) scored the all-important opener for Naft Tehran and even though Omar Al Soma scored twice for the home side it was not enough for Christian Gross' team to progress. Leading by a single goal from the first leg in Tehran, Naft stunned their hosts in the 32nd minute when Iman Mobali's free kick from the right swung over the Al Ahli defence and Padovani was on hand to send his side-foot volley past Abdullah Al Muaiouf. Al Ahli, however, responded almost immediately. Salman Muwashar shot over the bar in the 34th minute while, two minutes later, the scores were level when Al Soma netted from close range as he knocked Aqeel Al Sahabi's cutback over the goal line. Were United Arab Emirates Al Ahli was qualified for the quarter-finals of the AFC Champions League for the first time after a remarkable 3-3 draw with fellow United Arab Emirates side Al Ain on Wednesday to advance via the away goals rule. Earlier Japanese champion Gamba Osaka breezed into the last eight with a 3-2 win over FC Seoul achieved in second gear Wednesday for a comprehensive 6-3 aggregate victory. Brazilian forwards Lins and Patric and midfielder Shu Kurata scored the goals as the Japanese side made the quarterfinals for the first time since winning the tournament in 2008. With the front duo of Patric and livewire playmaker Takashi Usami in such strong form, the Japanese side look among the favorites to lift the title in November after continually breaching the renowned backline of the 2013 runner-up. Following a disappointing 3-1 first leg defeat on home soil, Seoul made six changes and employed a far more attacking philosophy in Japan Wednesday as it attempted to overhaul the sizeable deficit. Patric, though, gave it an early warning in the ninth minute when he clipped the ball over Seoul goalkeeper Kim Yong-dae only for fullback Kim Chi-woo to hack clear off the line. The Brazilian made no mistake eight minutes later, however, as he headed home braving the high feet of a Seoul defender following good work by Usami down the left. The goal allowed Gamba to sit back and counter and it nearly picked off a second before Seoul was gifted an opportunity to grab a lifeline when it was awarded a 42nd minute penalty. Hiroki Fujiharu was guilty of shirt-pulling while defending a free kick but Seoul's Colombian forward Mauricio Molina yanked his left foot effort wide of the goal. Gamba took advantage of dropped Seoul heads to bag a second in first half stoppage time when Kurata slotted home after Kim Dong-woo intercepted but failed to adequately stop a swift Gamba counter. The host was guilty of easing off in the second period and striker Yun Ju-tae pulled one back for Seoul just before the hour mark when he slid home Shim Je-hyeok's cross from the left in at the near post. Usami went off for an early rest but his replacement Lins didn't let up the misery on the Seoul backline, the Brazilian heading home a 87th minute cross from Kurata to extend the advantage. But there was still time for Yun to notch a consolation in the 92nd minute after Doan's miss. In another match, Guangzhou Evergrande of China defeated Seongnam FC of South Korea 2-0 to advance to the next round on 3-2 aggregate. — Agencies
