Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Kuala Lumpur: A look at the weekend’s domestic action involving those teams still battling for honours in AFC club competitions.
Sunday
K League Classic
FC Seoul breathed new life into their title aspirations with a 2-1 away win at Incheon United that saw them reclaim second spot in the top-flight standings.
Despite their eventual success, the AFC Champions League quarter-finalists, who were looking for their first league win since the arrival of new head coach Hwang Sun-hong at the end of June, went behind after only nine minutes when Belgian striker Kevin Oris found the net for Incheon.
However, Incheon’s Kim Tae-su put registered an own goal to draw level in the 27th minute, before Park Chu-young sealed the victory with a 56th minute winner.
Chinese Super League
Two late goals proved the undoing of Shanghai SIPG as the AFC Champions League quarter-finalists conceded derby bragging rights following a 2-1 defeat to city rivals Shanghai Shenhua.
After a goalless first half, Shanghai SIPG went ahead thanks to Wu Lei’s 55th minute opener. However, with three points seemingly heading the way of Sven-Goran Eriksson’s charges, Cao Yunding struck on 87 minutes to level matters, and Colombia international Fredy Guarin converted a last gasp penalty to seal the win for Shanghai Shenhua. The result leaves Shanghai SIPG in third spot, a hefty 15 points behind league leaders Guangzhou Evergrande.
The gloss was, however, taken off Shanghai Shenhua’s win by news that striker Demba Ba had broken his left leg. The former Newcastle United and Chelsea forward suffered the injury in the 64th minute following a seemingly innocuous clash with Shanghai SIPG’s Sun Xiang.
Singapore League Cup
AFC Cup quarter-final hopefuls Tampines Rovers continued their fine run of recent form thanks to a 3-0 defeat of Warriors FC – a win that booked their place in the last eight of the Singapore League Cup.
Billy Mehmet Fabian Kwok and Ariyan Malik were all on target for the Stags who are now unbeaten in eight matches.
Saturday
Chinese Super League
New signings Graziano Pelle and Papiss Cisse both made their domestic debuts for Shandong Luneng on Saturday as the AFC Champions League quarter-finalists drew 1-1 with Liaoning Whowin.
Pelle, who made the move to China from English Premier League outfit Southampton, started the game for Felix Magath’s side, while former Newcastle United striker Cisse was brought off the bench 14 minutes from full-time.
Jin Taiyan put Liaoning ahead in the 36th minute, before Walter Montillo, another of Shandong’s foreign imports, levelled matters from the penalty spot shortly before the break. The result leaves Shandong just one spot above the Chinese Super League’s relegation zone.
K League Classic
League leaders and AFC Champions League quarter-finalists Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors maintained their eight point lead at the top of Korea Republic’s top-flight on Saturday thanks to 2-1 away win at Jeju United.
Lee Jong-ho bagged his fourth goal of the season to give Jeonbuk a 32nd minute lead, before Kim Bo-kyung put through his own net to hand Jeju an equaliser shortly after the hour mark.
Despite the setback, Jeonbuk went on to grab the winner, Ricardo Lopes scoring on 72 minutes to leave Jeonbuk eight points better off than second-placed Ulsan Hyundai.
Malaysia Super League
AFC Cup quarter-finalists Johor Darul Ta’zim powered to a comfortable 5-0 win over Kedah to retain their position at the top of the standings.
Two goals apiece from Safiq Rahim, who this week announced his international retirement, and Jorge Pereyra Diaz, as well as a Marcos Antonio strike proved the difference as JDT registered their tenth league success of the season.
The Southern Tigers lead the way by two points from Felda United who beat Perak 2-1 at home to maintain the pressure on Mario Gomez’s side.
Photo: FC Seoul