Al Ain claim quarterfinal berth

Al Ain:

Al Ain advanced to the Asian Champions League quarterfinals with a 2-1 victory over Mash'al of Uzbekistan on Wednesday, powered by goals by Nenad Jestrovic. The victory left the United Arab Emirates club atop Group B with 13 points, three more than Al Hilal of Saudi Arabia. Jestrovic's two goals rallied Al Ain after Zafar Kholmurodov gave Mash'al the lead in the 23rd minute. Jestrovic headed a cross from Saleh Obaid in the 35th minute and tapped in a rebound after the ball had come off the near post from Faisal Alis' effort on the stroke of halftime. He missed out on two more goals in the second half when a lobbed effort ricocheted off the crossbar in the 73rd minute and a free kick crashed against the woodwork three minutes later. Mash'al scored from the only chance it created in the entire first half. Aziz Ibragimov sent a superb cross from the right flank for Kholmurodov, who outleapt the Al Ain defence. (AP)