Al Nasr, Seoul in control in Asian Champs League

AFP, SEOUL: FC Seoul took a grip of their AFC Champions League quarter-final after overcoming Shandong Luneng 3-1 in the first leg in the Korean capital on Wednesday.
Qatari side El Jaish were handed a 3-0 thrashing by Al Nasr of the United Arab Emirates with Brazilian striker Wanderley scoring in each half in Doha. 
Wanderley first struck just before the interval, tapping the ball into the empty net when Jonathan Pitroipa relayed a pass to him first-time after receiving the ball from captain Tariq Ahmed.
Burkina Faso player Pitroipa then got his name on the scoresheet in the 54th minute, rushing into the penalty area and scoring with a low shot into the right corner of the net after being sent clear by Abdelaziz Barrada. 
El Jaish also had a few scoring opportunities but Sardor Rashidov, Magid Mohamed and Yasir Isa fluffed their chances. 
But the hosts were caught napping on a counter in the 85th minute when Al Nasr substitute Salem Saleh found Wanderley with a deft pass and the Brazilian coolly slotted home from close range to smooth the way for his team’s first-ever semi-final spot in the history of the tournament.
Goals from Park Chu-Young, Dejan Damjanovic and Brazilian top scorer Adriano gave them a deserved two-goal cushion to take to China for the second leg on September 14.
Adriano was dropped to the bench after a recent form slump despite 11 Champions League goals this campaign. Instead it was former Arsenal attacker Park who was preferred to partner Damjanovic up front.
It didn’t take long for coach Hwang Sun-Hong’s decision to be vindicated as Park, who in the 16th minute had blasted wastefully wide when it seemed easier to score, turned provider three minutes later.
The Seoul number 10’s cross found Damjanovic with the freedom of the penalty area as he nodded home unmarked for his eighth goal in his last eight games from the edge of the six-yard box to open the scoring.
It was man-of-the-match Park’s turn on 31 minutes to take advantage of shoddy Shandong defending.
Park was found lurking in acres of space on the edge of the box by Cho Chan-Ho’s pass before having time to turn and shoot past Wang Dalei to make it 2-0.
With big-money signing from Southampton Graziano Pelle making little impact up front for the visitors, there seemed no way back.
But a foul just outside the penalty area after a rare Shandong forward foray gave Walter Montillo a sniff of goal and the Argentine expertly curled home the 35th-minute free-kick to reduce the deficit to 2-1.
The home fans erupted in delight when their hero Adriano finally made his entrance in the 60th minute in place of Cho.
Just nine minutes later he took his AFC Champions League tally for the season to 12 when he was sent clear in the box by Damjanovic’s delightful back-heel to make it 3-1. 
There was time for Shandong midfielder Jin Jingdao to earn himself an early shower in the 81st minute after being needlessly booked twice in the space of four minutes for petulant fouls.
Jin will be suspended for the second leg.

Al Nasr, Seoul in control in Asian Champs League

AFP, SEOUL: FC Seoul took a grip of their AFC Champions League quarter-final after overcoming Shandong Luneng 3-1 in the first leg in the Korean capital on Wednesday. Qatari side El Jaish were handed a 3-0 thrashing by Al Nasr of the United Arab Emirates with Brazilian striker Wanderley scoring in each half in Doha. Wanderley first struck just before the interval, tapping the ball into the empty net when Jonathan Pitroipa relayed a pass to him first-time after receiving the ball from captain Tariq Ahmed. Burkina Faso player Pitroipa then got his name on the scoresheet in the 54th minute, rushing into the penalty area and scoring with a low shot into the right corner of the net after being sent clear by Abdelaziz Barrada. El Jaish also had a few scoring opportunities but Sardor Rashidov, Magid Mohamed and Yasir Isa fluffed their chances. But the hosts were caught napping on a counter in the 85th minute when Al Nasr substitute Salem Saleh found Wanderley with a deft pass and the Brazilian coolly slotted home from close range to smooth the way for his teams first-ever semi-final spot in the history of the tournament. Goals from Park Chu-Young, Dejan Damjanovic and Brazilian top scorer Adriano gave them a deserved two-goal cushion to take to China for the second leg on September 14. Adriano was dropped to the bench after a recent form slump despite 11 Champions League goals this campaign. Instead it was former Arsenal attacker Park who was preferred to partner Damjanovic up front. It didnt take long for coach Hwang Sun-Hongs decision to be vindicated as Park, who in the 16th minute had blasted wastefully wide when it seemed easier to score, turned provider three minutes later. The Seoul number 10s cross found Damjanovic with the freedom of the penalty area as he nodded home unmarked for his eighth goal in his last eight games from the edge of the six-yard box to open the scoring. It was man-of-the-match Parks turn on 31 minutes to take advantage of shoddy Shandong defending. Park was found lurking in acres of space on the edge of the box by Cho Chan-Hos pass before having time to turn and shoot past Wang Dalei to make it 2-0. With big-money signing from Southampton Graziano Pelle making little impact up front for the visitors, there seemed no way back. But a foul just outside the penalty area after a rare Shandong forward foray gave Walter Montillo a sniff of goal and the Argentine expertly curled home the 35th-minute free-kick to reduce the deficit to 2-1. The home fans erupted in delight when their hero Adriano finally made his entrance in the 60th minute in place of Cho. Just nine minutes later he took his AFC Champions League tally for the season to 12 when he was sent clear in the box by Damjanovics delightful back-heel to make it 3-1. There was time for Shandong midfielder Jin Jingdao to earn himself an early shower in the 81st minute after being needlessly booked twice in the space of four minutes for petulant fouls. Jin will be suspended for the second leg.