Tue, 30 Nov, -0001
Singapore: Andrew Barisic’s brace steered Hong Kong champions South China into the second round of qualifying for the 2014 AFC Champions League as his side defeated nine-man Tampines Rovers at Jalan Besar Stadium on Sunday.
The 27-year-old Australian striker (pictured left) opened the scoring after 20 minutes before the Stags levelled midway in the second half through Miljan Mrdakovic. But Barisic was not to be denied the headlines with his winner coming towards the end of the first half of extra time.
The efforts of the Singapore champions were hampered by the dismissals of first Imran Sahib and then Mrdakovic for second bookable offences, and South China took full advantage of their numerical superiority to set a date with Thai side Chonburi FC on February 9.
“This match was very difficult, but our players never gave up,” said South China coach Cheung Po Chun. “I told them to be patient so that we could control the game again.”
The visitors pushed forward from the first whistle and could have opened the scoring after six minutes when Bosnian forward Sasa Kakjut stole the ball from Tampines defender Kunihiro Yamashita, only for him to shoot wide across the face of goal.
However South China were not to be denied and 14 minutes later Lee Wai Lim burst down the right and crossed the ball for Barisic to beat the defensive line and poke it past host goalkeeper Hyrulnizam Juma’at at the near post.
Tampines found things tougher going after Imran was dismissed in the 34th minute for a second yellow following a reckless challenge on South China midfielder Kwok Kin Pong.
The home side equalised against the run of play four minutes past the hour when Paraguayan midfielder Luis Closa played a cross-width long ball from right to Mohamad Shaiful on the left. The latter then supplied for Serbian striker Mrdakovic to finish from close range.
Tampines kept their hopes of progressing into the next round alive and forced extra time with several outstanding saves from their custodian to frustrate the South China attackers.
South China’s siege on the Tampines goal continued after regulation time and Barisic once more found space inside the box to fire home into the far bottom corner of the net in the 113th minute.
The hosts ended their night in further misery when goal scorer Mrdakovic was dismissed for a second yellow after making penalty protestations at the referee seven minutes from the end.
“I am very proud of my team who showed tremendous fighting spirit despite two red cards," said Tampines coach Salim Moin.
Moin’s side now enter the group stages of the AFC Cup that begin on February 25 where they will face further Hong Kong opposition in the form of Kitchee, India’s Pune FC and Nay Pyi Taw of Myanmar.
Photo: WSG