HIGHLIGHTS | @fctokyoofficial 0-1 Shanghai Shenhua
Yu Hanchao kept his cool from the spot to give Shenhua a narrow win over FC Tokyo.
Check out the best bits from #TOKvSHE ⬇️#ACL2020 pic.twitter.com/pf6VmKhZ7Y— #ACL2020 (@TheAFCCL) November 24, 2020
Source:
https://scmp.com/sport/football/article/3111247/afc-champions-league-shanghai-shenhua-shock-fc-tokyo-beijing-guoan Football
AFC Champions League: Shanghai Shenhua shock FC Tokyo as Beijing Guoan march on
- Bruno Genesio’s side beat A-League’s Melbourne Victory 3-1 but French coach is not happy despite 100 per cent record
- Injury-hit Shenhua pull off first win over Japanese team in competition in 16 years, scoring with only shot on target
Shanghai Shenhua’s Yu Hanchao wheels away after scoring during against FC Tokyo in their AFC Champions League group F match in Doha. Photo: Xinhua
Shanghai Shenhua taught FC Tokyo a lesson in taking their chances at Education City Stadium in Doha on Tuesday night as the Chinese Super League side snatched a shock 1-0 AFC Champions League win.
Choi Kang-hee’s Shenhua had just one shot on target but Yu Hanchao’s penalty was enough to secure three points and give the team hope of progressing from group F.
It was the first time in 16 years that the Shanghai side have beaten Japanese opposition in the competition.
The Shanghai side now have six points from three games and sit second, despite being ravaged by injuries. Stephane M’Bia was the only foreigner that South Korean coach Choi could call on.
FC Tokyo dominated possession with 64 per cent of the ball and had 13 chances, but the only statistic that mattered was the final scoreline, which was settled by Yu on 72 minutes after Hotaka Nakamura brought him down.
Shenhua fans will hope that Yu can stay fit as he has been pivotal in both of their group stage wins since the season resumed in a bubble in Qatar. These teams meet again on Friday.
In contrast, Beijing Guoan were dominant in their meeting with A-League side Melbourne Victory to maintain their 100 per cent record after three games and be confident of reaching the knockout stage.
The CSL’s third-best team in the recently finished season ran out 3-1 winners, thanks to goals from Renato Augusto, Alan Carvalho and Wang Zhiming.
French coach Bruno Genesio had a full strength team, effectively able to pick six foreigners – including naturalised Chinese players Alan and Nico Yennaris – against the Victory, who had not played since their A-League season ended in August.
HIGHLIGHTS | Beijing FC 3-1 @gomvfc
Beijing FC stay of Group E with a 3-1 victory over Melbourne. #BJGvMVC | #ACL2020 pic.twitter.com/iWNU5bFdZu— #ACL2020 (@TheAFCCL) November 24, 2020
This was their first game of the bubble, having played twice before the Covid-19 pandemic brought the group stage to a halt.
Augusto got the ball rolling, then turned provider for Alan, who headed home to make it 2-0 at the interval
Sub Wang made it 3-0 soon after coming on, slotting in after being set up by Ba Dun, with the scoring rounded out as a Gianluca Iannucci shot took a deflection off Beijing’s South Korean defender Kim Min-jae.
Beijing Guoan coach Genesio was not happy despite another three points and dominating possession.
“In the first half we played really well as we tried the high pressing we trained before the game and were successful in keeping control,” the Frenchman said, as reported by Agence France-Presse.
“The only thing I am disappointed about is that we conceded one goal towards the end. We need to be more serious and cautious towards the end of the game.”
His side can rectify that against the same opposition when they meet on Friday, but they already have a foot in the next stage after three wins from three. Progress can be secured by defeating Victory.
Melbourne coach Steve Kean said their preparations were not ideal. “This was our very first match of any type, we did not even play any friendlies and came up against a Beijing side that have played a full season.
“We wanted to win and take points but we can’t feel sorry for ourselves.”