Guangzhou Evergrande and Shanghai SIPG bounce back in AFC Champions League

Fabio Cannavaro’s side get revenge on J League side Vissel Kobe with 2-0 win to leave them a point from knockouts

Fellow Chinese Super League team bounce back from defeat with 2-1 win over Japan’s Yokohama F Marinos

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Guangzhou Evergrande's Elkeson celebrates after scoring their second goal in a win over Vissel Kobe. Photo: Reuters

Published: 10:33am, 29 Nov 2020Updated: 10:33am, 29 Nov 2020

Guangzhou Evergrande and Shanghai SIPG both got their AFC Champions League knockout stage hopes back on track on Saturday night with two wins for the Chinese Super League clubs.

Fabio Cannavaro’s Guangzhou, twice winners of the tournament, took full advantage of an experimental Vissel Kobe side after the J League outfit made wholesale changes following their win when the same teams met in midweek.

That game ended 3-1 to Vissel Kobe who secured their place in the round of 16. They sit top of this three-team group, made up by South Koreans Suwon Samsung Bluewings, after Malaysian champions JDT were not allowed to travel to Doha.

Saturday’s game saw Cannavaro’s side win 2-0, Evergrande’s first win over Japanese opposition in eight meetings, to leave the twice champions of Asia every chance of joining debutants Vissel Kobe in the next stage.

The opener came courtesy of Anderson Talisca in the 17th minute with the Brazilian making no mistake from the spot after winning the penalty. The initial chance came from a loose ball from Vissel goalkeeper Hiroki Iikura.

Another dead ball sealed the win, Elkeson – also known as Ai Kesen since naturalising to play for China – fired home a free kick after 36 minutes. Cannavaro’s side meet bottom side Suwon on Tuesday to wrap up their group stage and a point will seal their second round status.