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AFC Champions League 2015
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Yu Dabao of Beijing Guoan celebrates after scoring the opening goal in their 1-1 draw against Japan's Urawa Reds in a group E match of the AFC Champions League. Photo: Xinhua
SportChina

Beijing Guoan just need a point to reach AFC Champions League round of 16

Capital club denied a fourth straight win in group stage after being held to 1-1 draw by Japanese side Urawa Reds

AFC Champions League 2015
Michael Church
Michael Church
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Tomoaki Makino’s goal 16 minutes from time denied Beijing Guoan a fourth straight win in the AFC Champions League, but their 1-1 draw with Urawa Reds on Wednesday night saw the capital soccer club move a step closer to a place in the knockout phase. 

The point secured from the draw with the J.League side takes Beijing to 10 points from four games, leaving Gregorio Manzano’s side needing only a point from their final two group G fixtures to reach the round of 16 for the second time in three seasons.

We’d like to qualify for the next stage by winning the group, and to do so the next game against Brisbane will be important for us
Beijing Guoan manager Gregorio Manzano

China international winger Yu Dabao put Beijing in front with a close-range finish 12 minutes before the end of the first half, only for Makino to score to maintain Urawa’s slim hopes of advancing to the next phase of the competition.

“The game went as I had expected,” said Manzano. “We had a good performance in the first half and couldn’t score with the chances we had.

“But the Reds did well in the second half. So, I think the 1-1 result indicates the level of the two teams.

“We’d like to qualify for the next stage by winning the group, and to do so the next game against Brisbane will be important for us. However, we have to play our league matches before that game.”

Beijing Guoan's Erton Fejzullahu battles for the ball with Urawa Reds defender Ryota Moriwaki in their AFC Champions League clash in Saitama. Photo: AFP
In the other group G match, South Korea’s Suwon Bluewings sank Brisbane Roar 3-1 to boost their chances of progressing to the knockout stage.

Shandong Luneng, meanwhile, shared eight goals with Kashiwa Reysol in a thrilling group E game in which the Chinese Super League side fought back from 3-1 down to draw 4-4.

Yang Xu of Shandong Luneng heads the ball ahead of Eduardo of Kashiwa Reysol during their thrilling 4-4 draw in Jinan. Photo: Xinhua
Wang Yongpo gave Shandong the lead after just four minutes but goals from Leandro, Masato Kudo and Cristiano gave Kashiwa a two-goal cushion by the 32nd minute.

A frantic first half ended with the two teams level as Junior Urso scored before Walter Montillo hit the equaliser for Shandong eight minutes ahead of the break.

Shandong were back in front four minutes after half-time when Yang Xu scored from the penalty spot, but Cristiano scored his second 14 minutes from time to earn Kashiwa a point and keep the J.League side level on points with group E leaders Jeonbuk Motors.

Shandong are third, four points behind Jeonbuk and Kashiwa.

 

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