Source:
https://scmp.com/sport/china/article/2019050/shanghai-smashed-seven-goran-erikssons-side-crash-out-asian-champions
Sport/ China

Shanghai smashed: Sven-Goran Eriksson’s side crash out of AFC Champions League

South Korea’s Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors storm to 5-0 victory at home in second leg of quarter-final clash

Wang Shenchao of Shanghai SIPG battles for the ball with Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors’ Ricardo Lopes during their AFC Champions League quarter-final, second-leg clash. Photos: AFP

Leonardo and Lee Dong-gook both scored a brace as Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors of South Korea produced a dominating second-half display at home to thrash Shanghai SIPG 5-0 on Tuesday night to march into the semi-finals of the AFC Champions League.

Shanghai coach Sven-Goran Eriksson put a brave face on the hiding.

“We played well in the first half against a strong team and I was proud of the players,” Eriksson said.

WATCH: Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors smash five past Shanghai SIPG

“This is the first time that Shanghai has been in the Champions League and I am satisfied with the progress we have made though I am not satisfied with ­tonight’s result.”

Jeonbuk coach Choi Kang-hee said he was delighted at how his defenders kept Shanghai striker Hulk quiet.

“Hulk is a dangerous attacker but you can’t play football on your own,” Choi said.

“We kept our concentration and worked hard and ensured that Hulk did not have a big part to play in the game.”

Choi Chul-soon of South Korea's Jeonbuk Hyundai and Shanghai SIPG’s Cai Huikang fight for possession.
Choi Chul-soon of South Korea's Jeonbuk Hyundai and Shanghai SIPG’s Cai Huikang fight for possession.

After a barren first half, the 2006 champions took complete control of the second leg of their quarter-final at the Jeonju World Cup Stadium against the Chinese debutants.

Brazilian Leonardo opened the floodgates in the 52nd minute when he curled in a left-footer from the edge of the box after a brilliant build-up by the hosts, who are on course for their third straight K-League title.

Ricardo Lopes (right) of South Korea's Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors challenges Shanghai SIPG’s Wei Zhang.
Ricardo Lopes (right) of South Korea's Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors challenges Shanghai SIPG’s Wei Zhang.

Six minutes later, Shi Ke scored an own goal for last year’s Chinese Super League runners-up when he poked the ball home trying to make a clearance with Leonardo lurking close.

The Chinese side, who held ­Jeonbuk 0-0 in the first leg at home in August, had Lu Wenjun sent off in the 74th minute and the hosts made full use of their ­numerical advantage to pump three more goals in.

Leonardo converted a penalty in the 83rd minute before substitute Lee, the 37-year-old South Korean striker, added two more goals to make it 5-0 for the hosts, who will make their first ACL semi-final appearance since 2011.

In the last four, Jeonbuk will meet the winner of Wednesday’s quarter-final clash between FC Seoul and Shandong Luneng.

Additional reporting by Associated Press