Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Nanjing: A superlative performance from Alex Teixeira helped Jiangsu FC move into second in Group E as they edged close to a place in the AFC Champions League Round of 16 after Wednesday’s 3-0 win over Becamex Binh Duong that eliminated the Vietnamese champions. VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS
The Brazilian playmaker had a part to play in all three goals for the hosts as Wu Xi opened the scoring after just six minutes before Jo added a second shortly after.
Jiangsu’s dominance lessened in the second period but they still added a third with 10 minutes remaining through substitute Ji Xiang.
With Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors also defeating FC Tokyo by the same scoreline, though, the group is tightly poised ahead of the final round of group stage fixtures in a fortnight’s time with just two points separating leaders Jeonbuk and third placed FC Tokyo.
“I'm very happy that we won today. The beginning was very fast, and our early opening goal broke their tactics,” said Jiangsu coach Dan Petrescu.
“We had lots of opportunities in the game, but didn’t converted them into goals, but I have to pay my appreciation to all my players.
“In our next game we play away against Jeonbuk. It is going to be extremely difficult as they are the Korean champions. We could qualify for the Round of 16 if we win, but if we lose, we will have to see what happens between FC Tokyo and Binh Duong.”
Despite the rain pounding down in Nanjing at the saturated Olympic Sports Centre, Jiangsu were the aggressors from the start with pre-season marquee signing Teixeira dictating play for the hosts.
After just six minutes the former Shakhtar Donetsk man danced in from the left, drew the attention of three Binh Duong defenders, and found countryman Ramires who clipped a pass into the path of Wu who dinked the ball over the onrushing Binh Duong goalkeeper Bui Tan Truong.
And just a minute later Jiangsu were two goals up as Teixeira found overlapping right-back Zhou Yun with a glorious long ball from the halfway line and the defender’s cross in from the right was poked in at the back-post by a sliding Jo.
Although the visitors looked like being overwhelmed by Jiangu’s early onslaught, they were able to steady themselves and had their first effort on goal on 20 minutes as Le Tan Tai flashed a volley narrowly wide.
Teixeira continued to be the first half’s most dangerous player, however, and on the stroke half-time he almost made it 3-0 as he beat two defenders on the left wing before surging into the penalty area and drilling a shot into the side-netting.
In the second half, Jiangsu continued in the same vein with Teixeira teeing up Yang Jiawei, but the midfielder could only fire his shot straight at Tan Truong who tipped over.
On 55 minutes, Binh Duong forward Christian Amougou went close to a spectacular riposte as his attempted chip from fully 40 yards needed a back-peddling Gu Chao to palm over from under his crossbar.
Teixeira and Han Seung-yeop then exchanged chances at either end following the hour, before second half replacement Ji made certain of the three points and Binh Duong’s elimination as he drilled home an angled shot on 80 minutes after a lay-off from Jo with Teixeira again at the heart of the move.
“Congratulations to Jiangsu, especially in the first half where they scored twice,” said Binh Duong coach Nguyen Thanh Son.
“While I thought we improved in the second half, and managed to hang in there, we were unable to reduce their lead.”
“Our last AFC Champions League game we will be at home against FC Tokyo and it will be extremely important to us. We will play at our best to reward our fans.”
Photo: Lagardère Sports