Short-lived dynasty: Guangzhou Evergrande bow out as Asian champions

Guangzhou Evergrande’s reign as Asian champions came to an end on Wednesday, with a 2-1 win over Western Sydney Wanderers not enough to keep the Chinese Super League leaders alive in the 2014 edition of the AFC Champions League.

With Marcello Lippi watching from the stands and Zhang Linpeng and Gao Lin suspended, the 2013 winners were left to regret their 1-0 loss in the first leg in Sydney last week as Tony Popovic’s side advanced on the away-goals rule.

Insult was added to injury when a missed penalty in the first half by Brazilian forward Elkeson was followed by a successful conversion from the spot by Tomi Juric in the 59th minute that left Guangzhou with a mountain to climb in what turned out to be the final half hour of their campaign.

Alessandro Diamanti levelled less than two minutes later, but with Guangzhou needing to score three to progress thanks to Western Sydney’s away goal, Elkeson’s injury-time effort was never going to be enough to keep the trophy in China.

“I’m really sorry we were eliminated like this,” said Lippi’s assistant Massimiliano Maddaloni who led the team as his fellow Italian served his one-match touchline ban. “You can see from the game we were united to fight.