Tueday witnessed the first legs of the first semifinal in the West and ASEAN Zones get underway. In case you missed what happened, we have a recap right here:
WEST ZONE SF 1ST LEG:
AL WAHDA 4-1 AL WEHDAT [Al Hasan 14' Al Ghabbash 74' Rafe 77', 85' - Abu Amara 32']
Syrian side Al Wahda took command of their West Zone semifinal two-legged tie against Jordan's Al Wehdat after a 4-1 win at home in the first leg on Tuesday, courtesy an impressive second half performance.
Al Wahda had stormed into the lead in the 14th minute when Mohamad Al Hasan played a fine one-two with Osama Omari to get into the box and finished past the goalkeeper. However, Munther Abu Amara equalised for the Jordanians shortly past the half-hour mark after galloping down the right wing and into the box unchallenged and lifting a finish home from a tight angle. Though it seemed as if Al Wehdat would hang on for a valuable away draw, the tables turned in a devastating 11-minute spell late in the secind half.
After Ahmad Elias brought down Qusay Habib inside the box, Mohammad Al Ghabbash converted the penalty to put Al Wahda back in the lead. Three minutes later, Raja Rafe slammed home a square pass from Omari on a counter to make it 3-1. It became a rout in the 85th minute when Rafe completed his brace with a header into the open net after the keeper's punch from a corner came off his own defender for Rafe to head it in.
Al Wehdat now have a tough task ahead of them in the second leg while Al Wahda will already dream of the finals.
ASEAN ZONE SF 1ST LEG:
GLOBAL FC 2-2 HOME UNITED [Roberts 15' Aguinaldo 52' - Swandi 33' Plazibat 90+5']
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A dramatic late equaliser from Stipe Plazibat meant that Global FC would be the less happier side after they were held 2-2 at home in the first leg of their ASEAN Zone semifinal against Home United.
Philippine's Global FC began well with Darryl Roberts scoring in the 15th minute to send his team 1-0 up, running on to a lofted ball over the defence and poking a finish past the goalkeeper. However, the Singaporeans levelled in the 33rd minute as Adam Swandi converted Faris Ramli's low cross across the box. Post the break, Amani Aguinaldo looked to have netted the winner with an opportunistic strike from inside the box.
But Aguinaldo was sent off in the 72nd minute for a second bookable offence and Global FC were put under duress by the Singaporeans who got their equaliser with virtually the last kick of the game. Stipe Plazibat headed in a late corner to send the home fans into despair and help his side go into the second leg with the tiniest of advantages.