Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Shanghai: Two second-half goals gave Suwon Samsung Bluewings a crucial 2-0 victory over Shanghai Shenhua, taking them four points clear of their Group H rivals on AFC Champions League Matchday Four.
Defences were on top in the early stages and it took until the 24th minute for a clear chance to be created. Kim Jong-woo made space for the shot on the edge of the Shenhua area but his low effort was well held by Li Shuai.
Im Sang-hyeob curled a shot wide after Dejan Damjanovic’s lay-off as Suwon continued to be the more enterprising side, but No Dong-geon then had to be quick off his line to punch clear as Obafemi Martins challenged for a bouncing ball.
It was the away side who made the breakthrough six minutes into the second half when Kim Jong-woo pulled the ball back and Damjanovic side footed home with an excellent finish from 16 yards.
As Shenhua tried to battle back into the game, Giovanni Moreno was inches away from connecting with a diving header in the 59th minute.
The home side started to exert some pressure and after good work from Martins on the right, Fredy Guarin had two efforts blocked.
But the killer second goal came in the 88th minute when Damjanovic’s flick-on was cushioned down by Waguininho before fellow substitute Choi Sung-keun rifled home from just inside the penalty area.
The result leaves Shenhua third in the group with three points from their four games, while Suwon remain second on seven points, one point behind leaders Kashima Antlers.
Both teams have home fixtures on Matchday Five and Shenhua must win when they host Kashima to stay in the tournament, while Suwon can seal qualification for the last 16 with a win over Sydney FC.