Rivaldo opens Asian account, Japanese sides in mixed fortunes

PARIS: Former world player of the year Rivaldo repaid Uzbekistan outfit Kuruvchi's faith in his ageing powers on Wednesday by scoring for it in its 2-2 draw away at Iranian side Saipa in its AFC Champions League quarterfinal first leg match.

The 36-year-old playmaker - European and world player of the year in 1999 - netted Kuruvchi's second to give it a 2-1 lead which was only canceled out by an unfortunate goal in the 39th minute by Kianoush Rahmati, which took a wicked deflection off a Uzbek defender.

However, Kuruvchi coach Mirdjalal Kasimov felt his side had been robbed of victory.