Tue, 30 Nov, -0001
Jeonju: Ten-man Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors claimed all three points against defending champions Guangzhou Evergrande at Jeonju World Cup Stadium on Wednesday when Leonardo struck with a sumptuous strike 14 minutes from time to earn Choi Kang-hee’s side a 1-0 win.
The 2006 champions joined Guangzhou on seven points at the top of Group G with the win, despite Jung Hyuk’s sending off for a second bookable offence midway through the second half.
Leonardo (Leonardo Rodrigues Pereira) struck in the 76th minute when a perfectly flighted ball forward from Lee Jae-sung over the top of the defence was side-footed home by the Brazilian (pictured) as Jeonbuk avenged a 3-1 loss in China against Guangzhou two weeks ago.
Guangzhou went into the game having made several changes, with central defender Feng Xiaoting missing due to injury along with Zhao Xuri, leaving coach Marcello Lippi to pick Mei Fang at right back as Zhang Linpeng moved into the centre of defence.
There was also a place on the bench for last year’s AFC Champions League MVP Muriqui (Luiz Guilherme da Conceição Silva) , who continues to recover his full fitness after picking up an injury in the win over Melbourne Victory, as Elkeson (Elkeson de Oliveira Cardoso) was partnered in attack by Gao Lin.
Guangzhou lacked any real fluency in the opening exchanges and both Leonardo and Jung tried their luck in the opening seven minutes, only to fall short.
Alessandro Diamanti forced goalkeeper Kwoun Sun-tae into action in the 13th minute with a free kick and, just after the half hour mark, Elkeson sent his effort over the bar after a fine first touch put the Brazilian in position to pull the trigger.
Lee Dong-gook’s glancing header clipped the top of the crossbar seven minutes before the break while, at the other end, Diamanti sent his effort from long range over the bar.
Muriqui made his appearance from the bench at the start of the second half for Liao Lisheng and, within two minutes of the restart, Gao Lin sent his header just wide.
Leonardo saw his effort saved by Zeng Cheng on the hour mark and, just two minutes later, Lee Dong-gook looked set to give Jeonbuk the lead, only to hit the post after being set up for what looked to be a certain goal thanks to good work down the right by Lee Jae-sung.
Five minutes later, Jeonbuk’s chances looked to be hit when Jung saw a second yellow card for a needless foul on Diamanti but, nine minutes later, Leonardo struck to hand the defending champions their first loss in the competition in almost a year.
Photo: WSG