Zeng Cheng named Toyota player of the week

File photo of Zeng Cheng.

Goalkeeper Zeng Cheng has been named the Toyota Player of the Week following last week's AFC Champions League final first leg after the Chinese Super League side shared a goalless draw with Al Ahli of the United Arab Emirates in Dubai. Zeng, who earned a rating of 7.0, kept a cleansheet at Rashid Stadium as 2013 winners Guangzhou edged closer to claiming a second AFC Champions League title in three years.

Guangzhou did enjoy the better of the chances through captain Zheng Zhi, Huang Bowen and substitute Yu Hanchao, although Zeng needed to be alert in the first half to deny Al Ahli's Ismail Al Hammadi before beating away Everton Ribeiro's late shot that had rocketed through a crowded penalty area.

Opposite number Ahmed Mahmoud, who tipped over Zheng's dipping first half volley before beating away Yu's snap-shot from inside the area with 21 minutes remaining, claimed second place just ahead of Guangzhou defenders Feng Xiaoting and Mei Fang.

With Al Ahli custodian Mahmoud attracting a rating of 6.6, Feng finished a close third at 6.5, with fellow centre-back Mei in fourth place at 6.4 having stepped into the role vacated by suspended Korea Republic international Kim Young-gwon.

Feng completed 31 of 36 passes attempted and won six duels, while Mei completed 18 of 22 passes.

And the performance of Guangzhou's defensive unit, which nullified the threat of Al Ahli's Brazilian striker Rodrigo Lima and UAE captain Ahmed Khalil, was further highlighted with left-back Li Xuepeng attracting a rating of 6.2 to finish fifth overall.

The second leg of the AFC Champions League final takes place on November 21 at Guangzhou's Tianhe Sport Centre Stadium.