Mizunuma brace stuns SIPG in Tokyo duel
Print Edition
A SUPERB brace by Kota Mizunuma rocked Sven-Goran Eriksson’s Shanghai SIPG as the Chinese Super League club lost 1-2 at FC Tokyo in the AFC Champions League round of 16 first leg yesterday.
Mizunuma’s cheeky free-kick routine put the hosts ahead just before half-time and he volleyed a stunning winner on 65 minutes, after Wu Lei had briefly put SIPG level.
The victory leaves FC Tokyo dreaming of its first Champions League quarterfinal, while SIPG is up against it in next week’s return leg in Shanghai.
Elsewhere, a brilliant Leonardo free-kick earned 2006 champion Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors a 1-1 away draw against Melbourne Victory.
In Tokyo, Mizunuma opened the scoring on 43 minutes when he swept a close-range free-kick low and through the legs of teammate Sota Hirayama, who was standing in the SIPG wall.
Argentine playmaker Dario Conca was at the heart of SIPG’s response and he set up the equalizer with a pass to Lu Wenjun, whose rebounded effort was snapped up by Wu Lei on 55 minutes.
But Mizunuma drilled Tokyo back in front 10 minutes later when he ran on to Yuhei Tokunaga’s cross and volleyed side-footed through the arms of goalkeeper Yan Junling.
High-flying SIPG is a debutante this year in the Champions League but Eriksson’s men have the look of seasoned campaigners, with Conca and Elkeson both winners of the competition with Guangzhou Evergrande.
Earlier, Melbourne went ahead through Besart Berisha’s header in the 5th minute, only for Leonardo to equalize with his free-kick eight minutes later.
The Brazilian’s effort went over the wall and into the top left corner, past the unmoving goalkeeper Lawrence Thomas, to give Jeonbuk the edge when they host the second leg.
It was an emotional night for veteran Victory striker Archie Thompson, who was given a standing ovation as he was substituted in his final home match after 261 appearances and 101 goals for the club.
“In the end I was disappointed we didn’t win the game,” said Victory coach Kevin Muscat. “I thought we limited them to very little chances and we had a couple of gilt-edged chances.
“Having said that, we are still in the tie, we have scored in every away tie this campaign and we look forward to next week.”
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