Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Seongnam: Captain Kim Do-heon scored a 96th minute penalty as Korea Republic’s Seongnam FC snatched a 2-1 win over China’s Guangzhou Evergrande in Wednesday’s entertaining AFC Champions League Round of 16 first leg at Tancheon Sports Complex.
Midfielder Huang Bowen had netted a spectacular equaliser for the 2013 champions Guangzhou three minutes before half-time after Brazilian Jorginho had opened the scoring for two-time continental champions Seongnam midway through the first half.
And Guangzhou looked to have done enough to survive Li Xuepeng’s 65th minute red card ahead of next week’s second leg until Kim Do-heon (pictured) held his nerve with virtually the last touch of the contest.
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Video highlights
Group H winners Guangzhou were as expected without Brazilian striker Elkeson and Korea Republic defender Kim Young-gwon, but the visitors started on the front foot with top scorer Ricardo Goulart and midfielder Huang firing off target inside the first 10 minutes.
But it was Seongnam, who were without their leading scorer in the competition with Hwang Ui-jo watching proceedings from the bench, who should have taken the lead after 10 minutes as Jorginho took advantage of an error from defender Mei Fang but the Brazilian could only fire straight at advancing goalkeeper Zeng Cheng.
Guangzhou continued to create chances as Yu Hanchao’s header was ruled out after the ball had narrowly crossed the byline, while Zhao Xuri and Goulart also threatened for the visitors, although Nam Joon-jae wasted another glorious chance for the home side after failing to direct his header from Ricardo Bueno’s deep cross on target.
But Guangzhou goalkeeper Zeng was beaten after 23 minutes as Kim Do-heon worked the ball to Jorginho inside the area and this time the Brazilian made no mistake with a low strike back across the goalkeeper.
Guangzhou, though, were back on level terms in spectacular fashion three minutes before half-time as a determined Huang drove forward, and after exchanging passes with Yu, unleashed an unstoppable vicious strike from 30 yards which rocketed over goalkeeper Park Jun-huk.
The open nature of the contest continued at the start of the second half with plenty of attacking threat shown by both sides, although there were little in the way of clear-cut chances.
Guangzhou, though, were dealt a huge blow five minutes after the hour mark as defender Li was shown a straight red card following a high-footed challenge on Ricardo Bueno close to the centre circle.
And spurred on by their numerical advantage, Seongnam pushed forward with Kim Do-heon and Jorginho threatening either side of Hwang’s introduction with 21 minutes remaining.
Seongnam continued to press and after Ricardo Bueno and Jung Seon-ho both went close for the home side, Kim Do-heon squeezed his dramatic spot kick past Zeng to hand Kim Hak-bum’s side the advantage in the tie.
Photo: WSG