Tue, 30 Nov, -0001
Toyota: Diego Forlan’s second-half strike ensured that Cerezo Osaka head into the first leg of their AFC Champions League Round of 16 clash with defending champions Guangzhou Evergrande on a winning note as the continental hopefuls edged Nagoya Grampus 2-1 in their J.League Round 11 clash on Saturday.
Forlan netted the winner in the 78th minute to take his scoring tally to four in four games following the brace he scored in the 2-2 draw with Viseel Kobe and his crucial winner in the 2-1 AFC Champions League Matchday 6 victory over Shandong Luneng.
The Uruguayan’s decisive goal against Nagoya came when Cerezo were down to ten men following the 57th minute sending off of defender Tatsuya Yamashita, which came a minute before Tulio Tanaka’s penalty cancelled out Yoichiro Kakitani’s fifth minute opener.
Cerezo, who drew 1-1 with Omiya Ardija in their previous J.League fixture and sit ninth in the standings, are back in AFC Champions League action on Tuesday when they host defending champions Guangzhou Evergrande in the first leg of their Round of 16 meeting.