Mabrook alqadsia

AlQadsia 3-2 Urawa redz

Selim Benachour scored and had a hand in another goal as Al Qadsia defeated defending champions Urawa Reds 3-2 in the first leg of the AFC Champions League quarter-final on Wednesday. Mohammed Ibrahim's heavily depleted side took the lead against the run of play in the 17th minute when Fahed Al Ebrahim headed in Benachour’s free-kick but the Japanese side were back on level terms when Edmilson equalised in the 32nd minute. However Benachour restored Al Qadsia’s lead by lashing in a 56th minute free-kick and Khalaf Al Mutairi converted a penalty with nine minutes remaining to make it 3-1 to the hosts. Edmilson scored his second of the game in added time and although it was not enough to prevent Urawa from tasting their first ever loss in the AFC Champions League, it will give them plenty of hope for next week’s return game in Saitama. Urawa could have gone ahead as early as the second minute when Edmilson collected a pass from Takahito Soma but shot over. The Brazilian had another chance immediately after when he drew goalkeeper Nawaf Al Khaldi out and lobbed the ball goalward only to see his effort cleared off the line by defender Ali Al Shamali. The Japanese side started with only three deep defenders, but coach Gert Engels pulled back more players as Al Qadsia began to work their way into the Urawa area. The home side eventually won a free-kick near the right touchline and Al Ebrahim made it count, with the lanky midfielder climbing above a crowd of red shirts to head Benachour’s firmly struck cross into the back of the net. The Reds immediately set about finding the equaliser and almost got it when Edmilson controlled a long ball with his chest and played it on to Robson Ponte, whose shot came back off the right upright and straight into the hands of Al Khaldi. The Japanese side neatly engineered the equaliser as Hajime Hosogai released Yuichiro Nagai on the right. He beat the defence for pace and crossed for Edmilson to tap home. However, Al Qadsia continued to pose danger on set-pieces after the break and Benachour restored the home side’s lead when he lashed in another free-kick from the right 10 minutes into the second half. Al Salama then converted from the spot after Bader Al Mutwa was felled in the area but Edmilson’s late strike reduced the deficit for the defending champions.