Goalkeeper Ansah to
Churchill's rescue

Thailand's Osotspa Football Club recovered from a goal down to hold Churchill Brothers to a 1-1 draw in an exciting first-leg Round Three match in the AFC Champions league in Margao, Goa, on Tuesday.

After a barren first-half, Churchill Brothers drew first blood in the 51st minute through striker Yusif Yakubu. Following a move on the right, defender Denzil Ferrao sent a high cross into the box for defender Osumano Husseni, who had moved up. The last named chested the ball to a better placed Yakubu, who unleashed a shot that kissed the bar before finding the far post, beating keeper Somkid Chuenta.

Stung by the goal, Osotspa, who adopted a defensive approach in the first-half, went into the attack and restored parity in the 69th minute, when Jaihan Kiltisik converted a penalty.

Churchill Brothers custodian Edward Ansah, who was in his element, had earlier denied Junkham Vimo and Chobmanota Kobdetch from scoring.

The penalty was awarded after defender Rajesh Meetei handled the ball inside the box off Panswat Pransong's shot, and referee Santhan Nagalingam pointed to the dreaded spot, from which Jaihan Kittisak converted, beating keeper Ansah to his left.

Osotspa, which created panic in rival defence in the second-half through numerous raids with swift short passes, could have easily romped home victorious but for keeper Ansah, who twice brought off brillant saves.

Junkham Vimon, who missed one open chance in the second half, was unlucky in the first as his try from top of the box hit the bar and went out.

Osotspa even wasted a penalty in the dying minutes, when substitute Damrong Ongtrakult shot over after Mahesh Gawli brought down Vimon inside the box.

Churchill Bros will now play the return match in Thailand on November 26.

Referee Nagalingam showed yellow cards to Churchill's Noel Wilson and Osotspa's Tong-in Tanasit and Thiamb

Shimizu run riot against South China

The absence of South Korean World Cup star Ahn Jung-hwan and Brazilian-born Japanese international Alex did not prove too much of a problem for J-League side Shimizu S-Pulse on Tuesday evening as they all but booked their place in the group stage of the US$3 million AFC Champions League with a 5-0 rout of Hong Kong club South China.

With Ahn and Alex both missing the first leg of the Zone One (East) Third Round encounter through injury, Brazilian striker Baron led the way for Shimizu, netting a second-half hat-trick at the Hong Kong stadium to help the Japanese team to avenge a 3-2 loss to South China in the Asian Cup Winners' Cup at the same venue last November.

There was little likelihood of South China achieving a similar result this time around, especially with Hong Kong international striker Au Wai Lun missing the match through suspension.

The writing was on the wall when Takayuki Yokoyama put the visitors in front after 21 minutes with a fine individual effort after beating three defenders. Bosnian defender Srdan Pecelj then made it 2-0 just before half-time, heading home Shimizu's second goal of the game.

It was all Baron after the break as the Brazilian netted three goals in the span of 13 minutes. The 28-year-old scored a quick brace in the 50th and 53rd minutes before rounding off his hat-trick with a diving header after 63 minutes.

Having scored two in last month's 7-0 drubbing of New Radiant of the Maldives, Baron has become the leading scorer in the inaugural AFC Champions League with five goals.

While the two teams are scheduled to meet in the second leg in Shizuoka in a fortnight's time, Shimizu's big victory in Hong Kong has almost certainly settled the tie, and sent the Japanese club into the group stage next March.

They will face Chinese league champions Dalian Shide, Korean league winners Seongnam Chunma, and the winner of the third round tie involving India's Churchill Brothers and Thailand's Osotspa.

Al Sadd, Al Jaish draw

In West Asia, Qatar's Al Sadd scored a vital away goal against Al Jaish in Damascus. Abdulla Obbaid Koni silenced the 3,000 strong crowd with a strike in the 32nd minute.

The Syrians went on the offensive in the second-half and a goal from Jomard Moussa in the 74th minute kept alive their hopes of a spot in the group stages.

Results: Final Qualifying Round First Leg

South China (Hong Kong) 0, Shimizu S-Pulse (Japan) 5 (Yokoyama 21, Pacelj 45, Baron 50, 53, 63).

Churchill Brothers (India) 1 (Yakuba 51), Osotspa (Thailand) 1 (Jaihan 71 penalty).

Al Jaish (Syria) 1, (Moussa 74) Al Sadd (Qatar) 1 (Koni 32).