AFC Champions League 2: Tai Po’s Renner hails ‘magical night’ after dramatic draw with Beijing
Visitors overturn 2-0 deficit at Mong Kok Stadium only for Michel Renner equaliser to earn deserved point for home team
Michel Renner hailed a “magical moment” after his 90th-minute strike earned Tai Po a 3-3 draw against Beijing Guoan on a night of high AFC Champions League 2 drama at Mong Kok Stadium.
Renner gave the home a 17th-minute lead on Thursday, and the hosts were in dreamland when James Temelkovski scored from the penalty spot 12 minutes later.
Yang Bai’s 36th-minute header past Tai Po goalkeeper Tse Ka-wing injected energy and ambition into previously listless and aimless Beijing. Michael Ngadeu levelled after 53 minutes and Fabio Abreu sent the roughly 500 travelling fans wild when he scored his 23rd goal of the season with seven minutes left.
Tao Po were not done, however. Renner gathered the ball after Temelkovski connected with a Fernando cross into the box, before firing a shot goalkeeper Zhang Jianzhi got both hands but still could not stop.
“I knew what I was going to do when I controlled the ball and I was so happy I could succeed, it was a magical moment,” Renner said.
Still, it was a night of mixed for the home side, after their relentless harrying and attacking thrust had overwhelmed Beijing in the opening half.