DOHA (Qatar): Hulk converted a late second-half penalty as Shanghai SIPG defeated two-time champions Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors 2-1 in AFC Champions League Group H match on Sunday.
Vitor Perreira’s men had opened their campaign with a similar result at the expense of Sydney FC on Thursday, while their Korean opponents had already played twice before the stoppage, losing to Yokohama F. Marinos and drawing 2-2 against Sydney FC in March.
Hulk, who recently completed 100 appearances for Shanghai SIPG since he joined them in 2016, was a constant source of threat for the Jeonbuk defence.
In an earlier match on Sunday, Chinese giants Guangzhou Evergrande and South Korea’s Suwon Samsung Bluewings had scrapped their way to a goalless draw in Group G, the first stalemate witnessed in the bio-secure bubble in Doha in four days of action.
A bright start from both sides at Khalifa International Stadium saw end to end action and several half chances created inside the opening 10 minutes, most notably Gustavo’s header for Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors which was saved by the goalkeeper.
The first goal of the evening arrived in the 11th minute and it was Shanghai SIPG who broke the deadlock after a long kick from goalkeeper Chen Wei made its way over the Jeonbuk defenders finding Lyu Wenjun clear on goal. The forward kept his composure to control and apply an accurate finish into the bottom corner.
Cannavaro upset with goalless draw
Guangzhou head coach Cannavaro was visibly upset with his team’s performance.
“Of course I am not happy, not about the result, but about the performance because this is not our style,” said Cannavaro, former FIFA World Player of the Year and Ballon d’Or winner in 2006.
“We didn’t control the ball, we didn’t create chances and we didn’t try to score. You play against strong teams and if you don’t give 110 percent in every game, you cannot win,” the Italian added. (Source: AFC)
