Chinese clubs toil in AFC Champions League
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E-mail China.org.cn, March 22, 2012
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Dejected Evergrand players walked off the pitch after losing to Buriram United in a AFC Champions League game in Guangzhou on March 21, 2012. |
Chinese Super League champions Guangzhou Evergrande suffered a 2-1 home loss against Thai League champions Buriram United in the AFC Champions League on Wednesday night, losing the group qualifying favor.
Frank Acheampong struck 12 minutes from time to earn Buriram United a well-deserved 2-1 victory, which win was the first ever in the AFC Champions League by a Thai club in China.
Acheampong’s pace was the undoing of the Guangzhou defence, with the 18-year-old tormenting Zhang Linpeng to such an extent that he was taken off by coach Lee Jang-soo after just 35 minutes.
It was his direct running that earned Buriram their penalty as Acheampong seared into the area and was brought down by Yang, with Suchao Nutnum firing the resulting spot into the top corner to give Buriram the lead in the 62nd minute.
Guangzhou came back via a towering header from Brazilian striker Cleo as he latched onto an in- swinging cross by his compatriot Muriqui eight minutes later, only for Acheampong to prod the ball over the line after Frank Ohandza’s cross in the 78th minute and maintain Buriram’s perfect start to their first-ever AFC Champions League campaign.
"We were in a very nice position after we won the game over Jeonbuk, but today we gave it up. We made some terrible mistakes, I want to say sorry to our fans," said Guangzhou's coach Lee Jang-Soo at the press conference after the match.
Following the stunning away win, Buriram United now head their group by a comfortable 3 points. J-League champions Kashiwa Reysol lie second, while Guangzhou are third. Jeonbuk are bottom following two defeats.
Earlier in the afternoon, Chinese FA Cup winners Tianjin Teda earned a 1-1 draw with South Korean Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma. Beijing Guoan picked up their first point after sharing a 1-1 draw with Australian Brisbane Roar on Tuesday.
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