Intro:

Al Shebab of Saudi Arabia beat Iranian champions Esteghlal 1-0 in the first round of group matches in the AFC (Asian Conference) Champions League in Tehran on Tuesday (25th February).

Al Jazira of Abu Dhabi, who reached the last 16 in 2012, enjoyed the perfect opening to their AFC Champions League Group A opener at Mohammed Bin Zayed Stadium on Tuesday (February 25) against Qatar's Al Rayyan, taking a 2-0 lead inside the first ten minutes.

Script:

Al Jazira of Abu Dhabi enjoyed the perfect opening to their AFC Champions League Group A opener on Tuesday against Al Ryyan

With just three minutes gone Ecuadorian striker Felipe Caicedo beat goalkeeper Oumar Barry from the edge of the six yard box.

The pair combined again just six minutes later as Barrada was on hand to convert.

A minute before the hour mark Al Rayyan halved the deficit as Argentinian midfielder Lucho Gonzalez dispatched.

But with 16 minutes remaining Al Jazira restored their two-goal cushion as teenager Ahmed Gheilani put the game beyond doubt.

Al Jazira, were forced to endure a nervous finish to the contest as Khaseif's mishit clearance went straight to Al Rayyan striker Kala Uche in the second minute of stoppage time. 3-2 the final score.

Elsewhere, Al Shebab of Saudi Arabia beat Iranian champions Esteghlal 1-0.

The Iranian champions had the better of the first half and had the ball in the net eight minutes before the break, but Hanif Omranzadeh's effort was rightly chalked off for offside.

Al Shebab took the lead through Imad Khalili at the far post, who couldn't miss.

Esteghlal pushed forward in search of an equaliser and thought they had earned a penalty in the 79th minute when Mohammad Ghazi went to ground following a corner.

Chinese referee Tan Hai waved play on and the equalising goal never came. 1-0 the final score.