DOHA, Dec 5 (NNN-QNA) – Suwon Bluewings saw off Vissel Kobe 2-0 in the closing game of Group G, at the ongoing 2020 AFC Champions League (ACL) here, last night, securing its ticket to the last 16 round.
Chinese powerhouses Guangzhou Evergrande went home, after sitting third in the group of death. Compared to Suwon, the 2013 and 2015 ACL winners had same points with second placed Suwon but less goal difference.
When facing against the winners of Group G, Vissel Kobe, Suwon needed a win with two or more goals margin, to go past the group stage. But its hope suffered a setback in the first 45 minutes, as it held a goalless draw with the club from Japan.
Former FC Barcelona legend, Andres Iniesta of Vissel Kobe was replaced at the beginning of the second half, seeing Kim Gun-hee bring Suwon a lead in the 49th minute through a header from the centre of the box to the bottom left corner after collecting Lee Ki-Je’s cross.
The dramatic scene happened in the 68th minute when Takuya Yasui of Vissel Kobe touched the ball on purpose in the box, before Lim Sang-Hyeob added the second for Suwon through the penalty.
Then the duo finished the game perfunctorily. The South Korean club took the second place of the group, entering the elimination period.
In the last round of Group H, Jo Gyu-Seong broke the deadlock for Jeonbuk Motors, in the 16th minute when facing against Shanghai SIPG. Before the game, Shanghai SIPG and Yokohama F. Marinos had reached the last 16 round game in the group.
In the 32nd minute, Jo converted a penalty with a low shot to the corner. The penalty was awarded, after a foul by SIPG’s defender, Lei Wenjie.
SIPG almost pulled one back in the 51st minute, but Chen Binbin failed to have a one on one situation, after failing to receive a long pass.
Although Jeonbuk Motors defeated Shanghai SIPG 2-0, the South Korean side exited the tournament after finishing the group stage.
Shanghai SIPG are the only team that had qualified for the last 16 in each of their recent five participations in the AFC Champions League. The 2018 Chinese Super League winners have gone past group stage in every season since its first entrance in 2016.
In the last 16 round, Shanghai SIPG will set a clash with Vissel Kobe on Dec 7.– NNN-QNA
