Brisbane roars to pack off Shenhua
Print Edition
SHANGHAI Greenland Shenhua suffered an early exit from the 2017 AFC Champions League after losing 0-2 to Brisbane Roar in their one-match qualifier at Hongkou Football Stadium in Shanghai last night.
The two sides were fighting for the last slot in the group stage matches of this year’s elite Asian tournament. Argentina striker Carlos Tevez made his debut for the Chinese Super League club, partnering Nigerian Obafemi Martins in attack. Captain Giovanni Moreno and South Korean defender Kim Kee-hee were also in the starting lineup.
With the 2016-17 A-League season is already midway through, Brisbane Roar sent only 17 players to Shanghai. But they proved their intent by scoring just 90 seconds into kick-off.
Tommy Oar’s left-wing pass found an unmarked Brandon Borrello in the box, who sealed the opener for the visitors.
Despite some drizzle and temperatures no higher than 3 degrees Celsius, the Socceroos seemed to be adjusting well at Hongkou, testing Shenhua’s defense again in the 10th minute by hitting the post.
The hosts’ best chance in the first half came in the 21st when Martins, right in front of the goal line, received a pass from a freekick but shot wide.
Brisbane extended its lead in the 40th. Shenhua defenders appeared to be distracted as a Brisbane player lay prostrate in the box. The A-League side chose to continue play instead of kicking the ball out, allowing an unmarked Oar to score from close range.
Oar had another chance in the second half when his one-on-one shot in the 60th was denied by Shenhua goalkeeper Li Shuai.
The hosts kept the ball in Brisbane’s half for the majority of the next 20 minutes with their Uruguayan manager Gus Poyet pacing anxiously on the touchline.
Tevez, who is reported to be the best paid player in the world with a 615,000 pounds (US$770,000) weekly salary, could not come to his team’s rescue as his direct freekick from top of the box in the 80th was saved by Brisbane goalie Jamie Young. Martins also missed an open chance in the closing minutes of the match.
“In football, you don’t always win even when you have given everything you have,” Shenhua goalie Li said after the match. “The team will continue with its preparation for the league.”
The victory sent Brisbane into Group E, which also features Japan’s Kashima Antlers, Muangthong United of Thailand and South Korean side Ulsan Hyundai.
China will have three teams competing in the 2017 ACL — Guangzhou Evergrande, Jiangsu Suning and Shanghai SIPG. SIPG beat Thailand’s Sukhothai FC 3-0 on Tuesday night to book its place in the ACL group stage.
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