Heart-pounding action in Asia's top club competition saw Chengdu Rongcheng grind out a 1-0 win over South Korea's Gangwon FC and CSL leaders Shanghai Port battle to a 1-1 draw with Japan's Sanfrecce Hiroshima on Tuesday.
It only took 35 minutes for 🔥 Zhou Dingyang to steal the spotlight. After a cautious start, Yang Shuai soared for a header, setting up Zhou to thunder a first-time volley past Lee Gwang-yeon in the 35th minute. That strike delivered Chengdu its first three points, bouncing back from an opening-day loss to Ulsan HD FC.
Gangwon poured on the pressure late, but Chinese goalkeeper Jian Tao rushed out to punch Goo Boon-cheol's cross away in the 74th. Yun Il-lok then curled the rebound just wide, leaving Chengdu's backline to hold firm until the final whistle. 🧤💥
Over in another Group showdown, Sanfrecce Hiroshima took the lead in the 19th minute when Hayato Araki nodded home Shunki Higashi's outswinging corner. Shanghai Port looked shaken, but substitute Gabriel Souza injected fresh energy in the 83rd minute. Picking up the ball just inside Sanfrecce's half, he sprinted clear and drilled a low shot past Keisuke Osako to level the score. ⚡
Drama peaked in stoppage time when Shanghai's Gustavo was sent off for violent conduct, yet the Chinese giants hung on to secure a valuable point in the race for knockouts.
With two matches down, the race for the next stage is heating up. Stay tuned for more thrills from the AFC Champions League Elite! 🌏🔥
Reference(s):
Chengdu Rongcheng grinds out narrow win, Shanghai Port held to draw
cgtn.com
