JEDDAH: Al-Ittifaq and Al-Shabab kept their grip on the top places in the respective groups after big wins yesterday against UAE teams Shabab and Al-Sharjah in AFC Champions League.
In front of its adoring fans at Prince Muhammad bin Fahd Stadium in Dammam, Ittifaq hammered out a thumping 4-1 victory.
Prince Tago delivered a double for Ittifaq with goals in the 7th and 81st minutes, a feat matched by teammate Saleh Basheer who hit markers in the 16th and 67th minutes.
Shabab escaped the ignominy of a shutout by scoring in the 48th minute Sepahan of Iran and FC Bunyodkor of Uzbekistan tied 2-2 in the other Group D match.
The result left Ittifaq top of the group with six points and Shabab last with only three points. Sepahan is second with four points equal with FC Bunyodkor which is in third position because of goal difference.
Shabab completed a big day for Saudi clubs by crushing Sharjah 3-1 in UAE.
Piroozi Perspolis of Iran defeated Al-Garrafa of Qatar 3-1 in Iran to share the Group B lead with Shabab on seven points. Al-Garrafa is third with three points and Al-Sharjah is last with no point.
