Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Hong Kong: Adriano hit a first half hat-trick as a ruthless display from Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors saw them defeat Kitchee SC 6-0 in the 2018 AFC Champions League Group E tie at Hong Kong Stadium on Tuesday.
The Brazilian was the tournament’s top scorer in 2016 with a record-equaling 13 goals for FC Seoul and he can now aim to top that tally if Jeonbuk keep up the form that has seen them win their opening two matches on the continent.
The visitors took the lead from the penalty spot in the sixth minute after Lee Seung-gi was fouled by Lo Kwan Yee. Adriano then rolled in the spot-kick as Kitchee got off to the worst possible start to their first home game in the competition.
Adriano doubled Jeonbuk’s lead with an opportunist strike in the 14th minute after Kitchee goalkeeper Wang Zhenpeng had got a strong hand on Lee Seung-gi’s shot, only to see the striker tap in the rebound.
The K-League Classic side went three ahead with just 26 minutes gone when Kim Jin-su’s swerving shot from long range found the net, before things then got even worse for the hosts as Tiago Alves headed in from Kim’s cross to make it 4-0 in the 32nd minute.
On the stroke of half-time, Jeonbuk were awarded their second penalty after Krisztian Vadocz was ruled to have fouled Lee Seung-gi, and Adriano dispatched the ensuing spot-kick to complete his hat-trick.
The second half saw the visitors ease off and a fine save from Song Beom-keun denied Kitchee’s Alex Akande in added time before Adriano set up Lee Dong-gook for Jeonbuk’s sixth in the final seconds.
Group leaders Jeonbuk will hope to maintain their 100 percent record when they host Tianjin Quanjian in two weeks’ time, while Kitchee will be aiming for a better outcome when they visit Japan to face Kashiwa Reysol.