JEDDAH, Saudi Arabia (AP) — Karim Benzema’s second-half goal was enough to give Al-Ittihad a 1-0 victory over Uzbekistan’s Nasaf Qarshi on Tuesday, putting the Saudi champions on the brink of the Asian Champions League knockout round.
The French forward volleyed in from close range at the far post after 57 minutes, receiving a cross from Portuguese winger Roger Fernandes.
The victory moved Al-Ittihad to sixth place in the 12-team western group. With the top eight from the East and West advancing to the round of 16, a win against Qatar’s Al-Gharafa in the next match would ensure advancement for the two-time champions.
Elsewhere, Roberto Mancini delivered Al-Sadd’s first victory in dramatic fashion.
Trailing 2-1 to Al-Ahli Dubai after 90 minutes, the Qatari club scored three goals in stoppage time to win 4-2, with Spanish striker Rafa Mujica completing his hat-trick, and keep their slim hopes of advancing alive.
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