Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Suwon: Two-time Asian champions Suwon Samsung Bluewings agonisingly missed out on a place in the last 16 of the AFC Champions League despite recording a 3-0 win over Group G winners Shanghai SIPG from China on Tuesday.
Kim Gun-gee scored twice while Min Sang-gi was also on target for the 2001 and 2002 Asian Club Championships winners at Suwon World Cup Stadium
But with Australia’s Melbourne Victory beating Japan’s Gamba Osaka 2-1 at home, Suwon missed out due to having conceded an away goal in the 1-1 draw between themselves and the A-League side earlier in the campaign as the pair finished level on points.
“It is disappointing to go out. We finished on the same points as Melbourne and had a better goal difference. The problem was an away goal,” said Suwon coach Seo Jung-won.
“While we are disappointed, we will try to improve our weak points and then return to the K-League Classic and improve our results.
“Now we have to concentrate on domestic matters and we should improve as playing in the AFC Champions League and the K-League Classic is tough. We played well against Shanghai and looked sharp.”
Visitors Shanghai missed a golden opportunity to take the lead in the third minute as Zhang Wei burst forward from the left-back position and into the area and was found by Lin Chuangyi, but with just the goalkeeper to beat, the defender pulled his shot wide of the far post from close range.
And four minutes later Suwon punished the miss as Yang Boyu upended Kim just inside the area and the striker sent the goalkeeper the wrong way from the resulting penalty.
Suwon pushed for a second as both Kwak Hee-ju and fellow defender Yang Sang-min failed to convert chances just before half-time
And Shanghai ended the half as they started it by missing a gilt-edged chance as Lin ran free through the middle only to shoot tamely into the arms of Suwon goalkeeper No Dong-geon.
Suwon did have to wait until the second half to take advantage as Yeom Ki-hun’s corner was headed home by an unmarked Min from close range seven minutes after half-time.
And Suwon added a third just three minutes later as Baek Ji-hoon's attempted shot flew into a crowded penalty area and Kim was on hand to smartly flick the ball into the net with the outside of the right boot.
Baek should have added a fourth with seven minutes remaining only for Shanghai’s Sun Le to intervene before Ko Seung-beom twice went close in the closing stages for the home side, including hitting the crossbar with a fierce shot from outside the area.
“Technically, Suwon are a good team but it was frustrating to lose after conceding goals from the penalty spot and because of two defensive mistakes,” said Shanghai coach Sven Goran Eriksson.
“Overall it was a good game, though, we may not have scored but we made two or three good goal-scoring chances and it was a good experience for my players.
“The AFC Champions League is a good competition full of strong teams and there are no wins by four or five goals. Suwon are good enough to be going to the second round with us but it was not to be. We now look forward to the next stage.”
Photo: Lagardère Sports