Kessie's double leads Al-Ahli to victory in Asian Champions League

(Corrects Kessie's nationality to Ivorian in fourth para)

By Michael Church

Defending champions Al-Ahli cruised to a 4-0 win over Qatar's Al-Gharafa in Jeddah on Monday to move to the top of the Asian Champions League Elite standings as fellow Saudi Pro League side Al-Ittihad picked up their first victory of the campaign.

Former Barcelona midfielder Franck Kessie scored twice after Enzo Millot had given Al-Ahli the lead at the King Abdullah Sports City Stadium in a devastating first-half performance by Matthias Jaissle's side.

Millot put the hosts ahead in the 32nd minute when he hooked in a close-range volley via the underside of the crossbar and Kessie added the second six minutes later with a towering header.

The Ivorian scored the third before halftime when he charged through the defence to pick up a return pass from Riyad Mahrez and slotted in. Saleh Abu Al-Shamat rolled in the fourth 14 minutes from time.

Al-Ahli moved on to seven points from three games in the western league phase of the competition, with the top eight finishers advancing to March's knockout rounds.

Al-Ahli are level on seven points with Al-Wahda from the UAE, who fought back from a goal down to Qatar's Al-Duhail to pick up a 3-1 win in Abu Dhabi, with goals from Brahima Diarra and Ala Zouhir securing the points for the home side.

Saudi Arabia's Al-Hilal are third in the 12-team standings on six points from two games and will face Al-Sadd from Qatar on Tuesday.

AL-ITTIHAD BEAT AL-SHORTA 4-1

Meanwhile, Al-Ittihad won 4-1 despite going a goal behind to Iraq's Al-Shorta in Baghdad to secure their first victory of the campaign.

Bassam Shakir gave Al-Shorta a fifth-minute lead but goals from Moussa Diaby and Fabinho put Al-Ittihad in front at halftime.

A second