Qatar's Al Gharafa maintained their 100 per cent record in the AFC Champions League with a 3-2 comeback victory over Saudi Arabia's Al Ahli in Group A on Tuesday.

The home side took the lead after just two minutes at Al Gharafa Stadium in Doha through Mohammed Al Zaini only for a deflected shot from Al Ahli's Brazilian playmaker Marcinho to pull the visitors level on the stroke of half-time.

After Al Gharafa striker Younus Mahmood had a header ruled out for pushing, Marcinho fired goalwards from inside the area but the effort took a huge deflection to wrong foot Al Gharafa goalkeeper Abdulaziz Abdulla.

And just after the hour mark Abdulrahim Mustafa fired home from the edge of the area to complete the turnaround. But with 10 minutes remaining Sadd Al Shammari volleyed home from close range.

And Brazilian striker Clemerson netted a minute later with a well-taken finish to put Caio Junior's side top of Group A by two points ahead of Iran's Esteghlal, who were held to a goalless draw by United Arab Emirates side Al Jazira. The only negative for the home side came as captain and playmaker Juninho was sent off with a minute remaining.

"I was delighted to see how my players fought, it was a tough match. We were down by a goal and to come and win from that position has made me happy," said the Al Gharafa coach.

"I am happy how my players adopted after a few changes I made in the second half. Al Ahli's strikers were playing really well in the second half. It was difficult to contain them or stop them. But our defenders did well."

Al Ahli's Brazilian coach Sergio Farias won the Champions League with South Korea's Pohang Steelers last year, but has begun his continental campaign with his new charges with back-to-back defeats.

"Al Gharafa are a very strong side and with players like Juninho, it is tough to beat them as I have a young side," he said. "We are somewhat inexperienced at this level. But the more matches we play, the better we will become."