Tue, 30 Nov, -0001
Guiyang: Chen Zijie’s brace helped Guizhou Renhe end Ulsan Hyundai’s 14-match undefeated run in the AFC Champions League and give the Chinese Super League side hope of progression to the knockout stages with a deserved 3-1 victory at Guiyang Olympic Centre Stadium on Tuesday.
Chen’s first goal came just four minutes after Ulsan forward Yoo Jun-soo had given the 2012 champions the lead on 34 minutes.
Seven minutes into the second half strike partner Qu Bo then put the home side in front before Chen (pictured left with Ulsan's Park Dong-hyuk) made the points safe with his second goal on 81 minutes as Guizhou claimed their first win in Group H.
And with Japan’s Kawasaki Frontale beating Australia’s Western Sydney Wanderers 2-1, Guizhou are just three points adrift of leaders Ulsan despite remaining at the foot of the Group H table ahead of the final two games of the campaign.
Despite starting the match bottom of Group H and with only one goal scored in the tournament, Guizhou coach Gong Lei had spoken of his confidence in getting a first win of the competition against the group leaders in Guiyang, but he would have been disappointed in the way his side began with Ulsan dominating the early proceedings.
After efforts on goal from distance by first Kim Min-kyun and then Caíque (Caíque Silva Rocha) in the opening quarter of an hour that forced Guizhou goalkeeper Zhang Lie into smart saves, Ulsan took the lead a little after the half hour mark.
Kim Min-kyun found Yoo with a fine pass from the left flank that evaded Sun Jihai and Jonas Salley and the forward slotted the ball past Zhang.
Guizhou’s response, however, took just four minutes after Ulsan failed to clear the ball and Rao Weihui found Chen lurking inside the penalty area and the forward steered the ball past goalkeeper Kim Seung-gyu.
The goal galvanized the home side and on the stroke of half-time Yu Hai went close to giving Guizhou the lead with a strike from the edge of the area that was well saved by Kim Seung-gyu diving to his right.
After the interval Guizhou maintained their momentum and on the 52nd minute they took the lead when Rao bent in a curling cross from the left flank that fell for Qu, who tapped in from close range.
Ulsan pushed forward in search of an equaliser but lacked penetration without first choice strike duo Rafinha (Rafael dos Santos de Oliveira) and Kim Shin-wook who had not travelled from Korea Republic.
And instead it was Guizhou who found the net again with nine minutes of the game remaining as Chen received the ball outside the penalty area, stepped inside defender Kim Yong-tae, and skidded a low left foot shot that zipped past the diving Kim Seung-gyu’s left hand and into the net.
Photo: WSG