Ricardo Goulart double sends Guangzhou Evergrade into AFC Champions League last 16
Brazilian’s goals help the Chinese side to a 2-2 draw against Suwon Bluewings as they secure a play-off place
A Ricardo Goulart double steered two-time winners Guangzhou Evergrande into the AFC Champions League last 16 as they drew 2-2 with Suwon Samsung Bluewings on Tuesday.
After cancelling out Yeom Ki-hun’s opener, Goulart looked offside as he headed Evergrande 2-1 ahead on 68 minutes, before Kim Jong-woo’s equaliser caused some late jitters.
But the single point was enough to take Evergrande, the 2013 and 2015 champions, into the knock-out rounds in second place in group G behind Japan’s Kawasaki Frontale.
Scolari celebrated wildly on the touchline as the Chinese giants erased memories of last year’s embarrassing group-stage exit when they were defending champions.
Japan’s Kawasaki smashed Hong Kong debutants Eastern, led by their trailblazing female coach Chan Yuen-ting, 4-0 to rise from third place to top spot.
Elsewhere Ji Xiang’s 81st-minute winner handed group H table-toppers Jiangsu Suning a 1-0 win over 2008 runners-up Adelaide United.