An impressive opening 45 minutes saw Al Shabab secure a crucial victory over Al Gharafa in Group B of the Asian Champions League at Al Gharafa Stadium.

Marcelo Ramiro Camacho, Abdulaziz Nasser and Nassir Al Shamrani all netted for the visitors in the first half while Clemerson Soares pulled a goal back for Al Gharafa, who had substitute George Kwesi dismissed just before the hour mark.

Camacho gave Al Shabab the perfect start after just five minutes when he wrong-footed two defenders inside the box and finished smartly after Ahmed Ibrahim's cross had been dummied by Zaid.

The Saudi side extended their lead in the 22nd minute when Nasser rifled a shot from the edge of the box into the corner beyond helpless keeper Qasem Burhan.

Al Gharafa dragged themselves back into the contest five minutes before the interval when Clemerson showed some quick feet to weave his way through the visiting defence and despatch a left-foot shot past keeper Waled Abdullah.

It proved a false dawn, however, when Al Shamrani's flick restored Al Shabab's two-goal advantage after 44 minutes and Al Gharafa's task was made even harder when Kwesi saw red in the 59th minute for raking his studs down the inside of Abdoh Ibrahim's thigh as the duo contested a bouncing ball.