Kenji Nishioka's early goal enough to lift Manila Digger over Dewa in AFC Challenge League QF opener

Kenji Nishioka celebrates after scoring the marginal goal for Manila Digger. Luis Fabregar

By Ivan Saldajeno

MANILA—Kenji Nishioka's goal was all Manila Digger needed to draw first blood in the AFC Challenge League quarterfinals through a 1-0 win against Dewa United on Thursday night at the Rizal Memorial Stadium.

Nishioka blitzed past the Dewa backline and struck a powerful shot from the left flank in the 21st minute.

Dewa had huge chances to force the draw and secure the away goal to give them some sort of an advantage heading to Leg 2 next Thursday at the Indomilk Arena in Banten, Indonesia.

However, Digger's goalie Omar Njie delivered crucial saves to keep the scoreline intact.

The close Leg 1 result keeps everything still at stake in the return leg.

The winner of the two-leg tie will play whoever prevails in the all-Cambodian duel between Phnom Penh Crown and Svay Rieng in the semifinals. 

Svay Rieng clobbered Phnom Penh Crown, 4-1, on the road to gain a huge advantage entering Leg 2.