Guangzhou top group to advance to ACL last 16
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E-mail China.org.cn, May 2, 2013
Chinese champions Guangzhou Evergrande won Group F to advance to the last 16 of the AFC Champions League after securing a goalless draw at home with Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors on Wednesday.
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Dario Conca of Guangzhou Evergrande tries to dribble past defender. |
Marcello Lippi's side will face A-League Grand Final winners Central Coast Mariners in the last 16 clash.
The draw at Tianhe Sport Center also secured Jeonbuk's qualification ahead of Japanese side Urawa Reds.
Guangzhou Evergrande, which has been assured of qualification before the game, needed just one point to seal top spot in Group F.
Guangzhou had the upper hand for the majority of the contest but struggled to create a clear-cut chance despite the best efforts of Muriqui with the Brazilian looking to add to his six goals in the campaign this season.
But with news filtering through that Urawa had taken the lead at the start of the second half against Muangthong, Jeonbuk's nerves began to show as Guangzhou kept up the pressure.
And goalkeeper Choi Eun-sung needed a second attempt to gather Zheng Zhi's well-struck effort with 17 minutes remaining as the Guangzhou captain's first-time effort skipped off the wet surface.
But the Jeonbuk goalkeeper redeemed himself with 13 minutes remaining as Choi brilliantly turned Muriqui's shot onto the crossbar with the Brazilian seemingly certain to score as he raced through on goal following Lucas Barrios clever dummy from Dario Conca's defence-splitting pass.
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