Sydney FC became the first Australian club to secure a win in the AFC Champions League in a 2-1 suprise against Group E host Shanghai Shenhua. The defeat caps a horror start to 2007 for last year's China Super League runners-up which was bought-out by local billion Zhu Jun just before the new season for 150 million yuan (US$19.3 million) and forced to merge with cross-town rival Shanghai United FC.
Uruguayan coach Osvaldo Gimenez, the manager of the old United, took over the management of Shenhua from the much-loved Wu Jingui and only four Shenhua players made it to the starting eleven of the combined team which faced Beijing Guoan in the first game of the new season. It was no surprise to Shenhua fans that their team was beaten for the first time on its home turf by the capital city outfit since the professional league was launched in 1994.
In the other Group E game, the Emperor's Cup and J-League champions Urawa Reds prevailed 3-0 over Indonesia's Persik Kediri.
In Group A Al Zawra'a beat hosts Al Arabi 1-0; Al Wahda beat Al Rayyan 1-0. In Group B, Al Hilal drew 1-1 with Al Kuwait. In Group C, Al Karama defeated Al Sadd 2-1 and Neftchi downed Al Najaf 1-0. In Group D, Sepahan beat Al Ittihad 2-1; Al Shabab beat Al Ain 2-0.
In Group F, Kawasaki Frontale beat Arema Malang 3-1; Bangkok University drew 0-0 with Chunnam Dragons. In Group G Adelaide United kicked an own goal at home to give Shandong Luneng the three points; Seongnam Chunma defeated Dong Tam Long An 4-1 in blizzard conditions in Korea.
Uruguayan coach Osvaldo Gimenez, the manager of the old United, took over the management of Shenhua from the much-loved Wu Jingui and only four Shenhua players made it to the starting eleven of the combined team which faced Beijing Guoan in the first game of the new season. It was no surprise to Shenhua fans that their team was beaten for the first time on its home turf by the capital city outfit since the professional league was launched in 1994.
In the other Group E game, the Emperor's Cup and J-League champions Urawa Reds prevailed 3-0 over Indonesia's Persik Kediri.
In Group A Al Zawra'a beat hosts Al Arabi 1-0; Al Wahda beat Al Rayyan 1-0. In Group B, Al Hilal drew 1-1 with Al Kuwait. In Group C, Al Karama defeated Al Sadd 2-1 and Neftchi downed Al Najaf 1-0. In Group D, Sepahan beat Al Ittihad 2-1; Al Shabab beat Al Ain 2-0.
In Group F, Kawasaki Frontale beat Arema Malang 3-1; Bangkok University drew 0-0 with Chunnam Dragons. In Group G Adelaide United kicked an own goal at home to give Shandong Luneng the three points; Seongnam Chunma defeated Dong Tam Long An 4-1 in blizzard conditions in Korea.