Al Jazira and Sharjah lose in opening round of AFC Champions League

UAE clubs Al Jazira and Sharjah suffered first-round defeats in the AFC Asian Champions League in Riyadh on Friday.

Jazira went down to Iraqi Air Force Club 2-1 in their Group B opener at the King Fahd International Stadium, while Sharjah were beaten by defending champions Al Hilal of Saudi Arabia 2-1 at the Prince Faisal bin Fahd Stadium.

Hussein Jabbar gave Air Force Club the lead only for Zayed Al Ameri to level the tie just before the break. Thereafter, Ali Kadhim secured the Iraqi side all three points with a late winner.

Air Force Club took the lead on 11 minutes from a superb strike from Jabbar after he was set up perfectly by Shareef Abdulkadhim to nod home past Jazira goalkeeper Ali Khaseif.

Ali Mabkhout missed a big chance in the 40th minute when he sent his half-volley wide from inside the area.

Jazira eventually got the equaliser three minutes later when Al Ameri scored from inside the six-yard-box.

Jazira were unlucky when Al Ameri's cheeky back-heel off Abdalla Ramadan's cross came off the crossbar on close to the hour.

Muntadher Abdulameer, with only the goalkeeper to beat, fired wide after combining beautifully with Sharif Abdulkadhim for the Iraqi side.

However, they were not to be denied when Kadhim rose above all to nod home the winner off Dhurgham Ismail's corner eight minutes from time.

Meanwhile, Hilal got their title defence to a perfect start. Saleh Al Shehri was on target with a spot kick on the fifth minute but Sharjah cancelled the lead when Otabek Shukurov struck from close range.

Michael scored the winner in the second half for Hilal to claim their first win over Sharjah in three meetings.

Hilal first met Sharjah in the group stage in 2004 to play out a goalless draw in Riyadh before the UAE