Guangzhou dominate but fail to grab points

Domestic champions Guangzhou Evergrande remain China's best hope in the AFC Champions League despite South Korean coach Lee Jang-soo accepting full responsibility for last night's 3-1 defeat by Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors as a late double from South Korea striker Lee Dong-gook silenced another bumper crowd at Tianhe Sports Centre.

Last season's top scorer in the AFC Champions League struck in the last minute to deny dominant Guangzhou before adding a third in stoppage time as the visitors completed their rousing comeback despite playing the final 25 minutes with 10 men following the dismissal of captain Cho Sung-hwan.

But Guangzhou, who had taken an early lead through a penalty from Argentinian midfielder Dario Conca before being pegged back by Lee Sung-hyun's strike on the stroke of half-time, know victory over Thailand's Buriram United in two weeks will maintain Chinese interest in the competition with Tianjin Teda eliminated and Beijing Guoan needing to beat South Korea's Ulsan Hyundai today to keep their slim hopes alive.

'All the players did their best and we lost due to some minor mistakes. I am sorry for letting down the fans and as the coach of the team I assume full responsibility for the loss,' said Guangzhou coach Lee.

'If, after they had equalised, we had scored the result would have been different. We will look at the video, but I accept full responsibility for the loss as I am not the type of person to look for excuses after a game.'

Lee Jang-soo's decision to withdraw marquee midfielder Conca, who arrived in a high-profile move from Fluminense last July, on the hour mark did raise eyebrows amongst the 40,000 crowd.