Tue, 30 Nov, -0001
Guiyang: Former Guangzhou Evergrande striker Cleo scored the only goal of the game as the forward fired Kashiwa Reysol to a 1-0 win over China’s Guizhou Renhe at Guiyang Olympic Centre Stadium in Group H of the AFC Champions League on Wednesday.
The Brazilian headed home from close range in the dying seconds of the first half to earn Reysol a winning start having joined the Emperor’s Cup winners on loan from the Chinese Super League champions in February.
“It was a very difficult match,” said Reysol coach Nelsinho Baptista. “Guizhou’s counterattack was quite threatening, especially in the later stages of the game. But, fortunately, we hung in there and managed to get the win.
“I don't think Cleo is in his best shape at the minute but the more time he spends with us, I think he will continue to become better and better in the future.”
Cleo (Cléverson Gabriel Córdova) scored four times in the group stage and Round of 16 for Guangzhou last season before losing his place in the starting line-up and joining the former J.League champions on a year-long loan.
He claimed the only goal of the game in the 45th minute when he met a cross from Jorge Wagner (Jorge Wagner Goés Conceição) with a firm header that goalkeeper Zhang Chenglin pushed onto the crossbar, only for Cleo to nod home the rebound.
Guizhou, making their first appearance in the AFC Champions League after finishing as runners up in the Chinese FA Cup and fourth in the Chinese Super League last season, had the better of the opportunities in the opening half with Yang Hao seeing his effort deflected wide before Spanish defender Nano (Victoriano Rivas Álvaro) headed just off target.
However, Leandro Domingues (Leandro Domingues Barbosa) could have doubled Reysol’s lead 14 minutes into the second half only for Zhang to push the Brazilian’s free kick around the post while, as the clock ran down, Guizhou pushed for the equaliser.
Twice in four minutes Bosnian midfielder Zvjezdan Misimovic saw free kicks hit the crossbar while in between Rao Weihui shot just wide.
But it was all in vain as Reysol held on to make a winning start to their 2013 AFC Champions League campaign.
“This was our first AFC Champions League match and it was a very valuable experience for both our players and coaches,” said Guizhou coach Gong Lei.
“It was a difficult game; both sides had done lots of preparation. The players were under huge physical and mental pressure but I think we tried our best.
“I greatly appreciate my players' fighting spirit. We insisted on attacking until the last second and we put on a good match.”
Photo: WSG