Difficult Asian Champions League night for Chinese clubs

Guangzhou R&F lost 2-1 to Thailand’s Buriram United due to a last minute Gilberto Macena goal in the AFC Champions League on Tuesday night as Chinese clubs were brought back to earth in the continental championship.

Shandong Luneng were handed a 4-1 thrashing by former champions Jeonbuk Motors from South Korea just a week after all four Chinese Super League sides emerged victorious from the first round of group matches in the competition.

Guangzhou, who picked up a win over Japanese champions Gamba Osaka in their first-ever AFC Champions League match last week, led against the Thai Premier League side through a goal from Lu Lin before Ko Seul-ki and Macena struck to ensure Buriram United picked up a second straight success in the competition.

“I have to say this is the hardest AFC Champions League game for us so far,” said R&F coach Cosmin Contra, whose side qualified for the group stages via the playoffs. “But we also gained something. We learned how to play against a team like this, how to cope with a situation like this.

“Personally, I really expected a win out of it, so I am very disappointed. I hope can do better at home in the future.”

Shandong, meanwhile, were undone in the final 20 minutes of their meeting with the Korean side after striker Yang Xu had levelled following a remarkable chip from Brazilian Edu had put Jeonbuk in front.

But goals from Han Kyo-won, Lee Jae-sung and Leonardo secured all three points for Jeonbuk, who drew their opening game against Kashiwa Reysol last week.