Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Suwon: Giovanni Moreno’s late penalty earned Shanghai Shenhua a 1-1 draw at Group H rivals Suwon Bluewings on AFC Champions League Matchday Three on Wednesday.
After a slow start, the game came to life midway through the first half with a flurry of chances for the home side.
After Yeom Ki-hun was fouled on the edge of the box, Dejan Damjanovic smashed the free-kick towards the top right-hand corner but Li Shuai pushed the shot wide.
Damjanovic should then have opened the scoring when Ki-hun’s cross found him just outside the six-yard box but the Montenegrin striker shot weakly at Li Shuai.
Six minutes from half-time, Ki-hun had a good effort from 20 yards out but Li Shuai made another fine save.
The home side’s pressure finally paid off two minutes into the second half. Ki-hun’s free-kick from the right was punched clear by Li Shuai and Lee Ki-je met the ball on the half-volley and struck it firmly through a crowd of players and into the net from 25 yards out.
Suwon seemed to be cruising but were rocked in the 68th minute when No Dong-geon had to pull off an excellent save from Fredy Guarin’s powerful shot to preserve their lead.
But Shenhua soon had another opportunity to equalise when Aidi Fulang Xisi went down under Cristovam’s challenge in the penalty area. Giovanni Moreno netted the resulting spot-kick to make it 1-1 with 19 minutes remaining.
Waguininho missed a great opportunity to win it for the hosts in the final minute of added time but stabbed the ball wide.
Suwon travel to face Shenhua in China next week just one point ahead of their rivals, as both sides’ chances of progress remain very much alive.