Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Guangzhou: Defending champions Guangzhou Evergrande made a stuttering start to the defence of their AFC Champions League title on Wednesday as the Chinese Super League champions were held to a goalless draw by Korea Republic’s Pohang Steelers at Tianhe Sport Center.
Luiz Felipe Scolari’s Guangzhou, who beat Al Ahli from the United Arab Emirates 1-0 on aggregate in last year’s final to claim a second continental title in three years, enjoyed the better of the chances against play-off winners Pohang but failed to find a breakthrough.
And with Japan’s Urawa Red Diamonds earlier beating Sydney FC 2-0, Guangzhou find themselves off the early pace in Group H ahead of next week’s trip to Australia.
“This is a fair result. We were short of some good match tempo and we haven't reached where we were last year. We went to Dubai for winter training, but ended up with only one training match. Now we are having some difficulties, but this game is within my expectations. What we were missing was one goal,” said Guangzhou coach Scolari.
“Jackson Martinez has been with us 12 days only and it will take time for him settle in. We were not in the shape for playing real matches. We will work on it. A match every four days won't kill us, but we will play in turns for four or five positions due to tactical reasons, not physical reasons.
“We are still two or three matches away from having the right season vibe back.”
Pohang, who won the AFC Champions League in 2009, return home for the visit of Urawa next Wednesday following a resolute defensive display in Southern China.
Having added to their 2013 success over Korea’s FC Seoul with a hard-fought win over Al Ahli at the end of last year, Guangzhou started marginally on the front foot and should have taken the lead after 25 minutes, but 2015 AFC Champions League MVP and top scorer Ricardo Goulart stabbed wide from eight yards out with the goal at his mercy after the Brazilian had ghosted into the penalty area to meet a left wing free-kick.
Goulart, who netted eight goals as Guangzhou won the AFC Champions League last year, continued to be the best outlet for the home side but again failed to find the target from a promising position inside the area five minutes before half-time.
New signing Jackson Martinez took over for Guangzhou at the start of the second half, but the Colombian also failed to find the target for the home side.
Goulart finally tested Pohang goalkeeper Shin Hwa-yong after the hour mark, but the Brazilian shot straight at the visiting custodian from inside the area before compatriot Paulinho sliced the rebound off target.
And after surviving strong pressure from the home side in the closing stages, three-time Asian champions Pohang added to their 3-0 play-off win over Vietnam’s Hanoi T&T with a hard-fought point.
“Today it was a very difficult game, but we saw our potential. We were not very good at converting opportunities into goals, but generally speaking we did well,” said Pohang coach Choi Jin-cheul.
“We hoped to move our defense a bit further, but Evergrande were very aggressive and we couldn't keep it. It was hard to form counterattacks. We had to get by with that.
“Evergrande has many talents, and their control of the ball is also good. They are the defending champion and deserve the title. But when we are home later, we will be more confident and have faith to win the match.”
Photo: Lagardère Sports