Press TV -- Ten-man Sepahan Isfahan FC has suffered a 2-0 home loss against Syria's al-Ittihad in the first round of the AFC Champions League.

Gomez scored the opener for al-Ittihad in the 19th minute, shortly after Sepahan's defender, Mohsen Bengar, was sent off.

Sepahan dominated the second half from start to finish, but four minutes from time Abdulfattah al-Aqa doubled the score for al-Ittihad at Foolad Shahr Stadium.

Sepahan will face Uzbekistan's Kuruvchi in Tashkent on March 19.

Also on Wednesday, visiting J-League champions Kashima Antlers crushed Thailand's Krung Thai Bank 9-1.

Japan's Gamba Osaka scored a late equalizer to avoid a 0-1 defeat against Thai champions Chonbur.

China's Changchun Yatai gained three points with a narrow 2-1 home victory over Vietnam's Binh Duong.

AFC newcomers Australia's Adelaide United and Melbourne both defeated opponents, K-League champion Pohang Steelers and Chunnam Dragons 2-0.