Tianjin break Kitchee hearts with last-minute winner in AFC Champions League
French forward Modeste strikes again as he scores from close range to give the mainland side a narrow victory at Mong Kok Stadium
Tianjin Quanjian’s French forward Anthony Modeste returned to haunt Kitchee, scoring the winning goal a minute before time to hand the mainland side a narrow 1-0 victory in their AFC Champions League match on Wednesday night.
Just when it seemed Kitchee were going to win a point, Modeste broke the stalemate, scoring with a header from close range, and breaking the hearts of Kitchee fans, who came out in force at Mong Kok Stadium.
Watch: Kitchee v Tianjin Quanjian highlights
Kitchee were beaten by Tianjin in their first encounter 3-0 in February with Modeste among the goalscorers, and the local side turned in another encouraging performance before a big crowd of 6,299 spectators but weren’t rewarded in the end.
Kitchee had their chances in the group E encounter with Krisztian Vadocz pulling a powerful shot wide of a post. Tianjin’s Axel Witsel also came close in the first half with a vicious shot that almost struck a post.
In other results, Ulsan Hyundai thrashed Melbourne Victoria 6-2; Jeonbuk beat Kashiwa 2-0 and Shanghai SIPG and Kawasaki Frontale drew 1-1.
