Guangzhou stunned, Guizhou bows out
0 Comment(s)
Print
E-mail China.org.cn, April 16, 2014
|
|
|
Huang Bowen (right) of Guangzhou Evergrande vies for the ball with an unidentified Melbourne Victory player during their AFC Champions League match in Melbourne yesterday. — Xinhua |
Melbourne Victory handed defending champions Guangzhou Evergrande a 2-0 defeat on Tuesday night to halt the title-holder's progress to the AFC Champions League knockout rounds and leave all four teams in their group level on points with one game left.
Marcello Lippi's attractive side had swamped Victory 4-2 in their earlier meeting, but goals in the opening and closing minutes ensured a shock win in Melbourne and blew Group G wide open.
In a dramatic night of action, Australian international Mark Milligan gave the home side the lead in the second minute when he stole the ball off Zhao Xuri inside the Guangzhou half before laying off to Jesse Makarounas, and his return pass into the area split the Chinese side's defence and allowed Milligan to stab the ball beyond Zeng Cheng.
The Australian side had several chances to extend its lead in the first half, but Guangzhou came alive after the break and goalkeeper Nathan Coe saved from both Muriqui and Feng Renliang in the game's final quarter.
Another great save from Coe thwarted a swift Guangzhou counterattack before substitute Andrew Nabbout and Kosta Barbarouses combined to set up James Troisi's goal in the first minute of stoppage time.
In Guiyang, Guizhou Province, a goal from Kengo Nakamura sealed Kawasaki Frontale's 1-0 win and ended the hopes of Guizhou Renhe in Group H, which had Sun Jihai and Zvjezdan Misimovic sent off in a bad-tempered finish.
Also in Group H, Western Sydney Wanders beat Ulsan Hyundai 2-0 to give a massive boost to its hopes of reaching the knockout stages on its debut in the Asian club competition.
Go to Forum >>0 Comment(s)