Nanjing: An Alex Teixeira-inspired Jiangsu FC became the first side to progress to the AFC Champions League Round of 16 on Tuesday, cruising past Gamba Osaka 3-0 at Nanjing Olympic Sports Center to finish as Group H winners thanks to first-half goals from Teixeira, fellow Brazilian Ramires, and Hong Jeong-ho.
Choi Yong-soo’s side established control of the game in just the third minute, as Teixeira (pictured) stole in to seize possession from Yasuhito Endo before advancing and tucking beyond Gamba goalkeeper Masaaki Higashiguchi.
Ramires doubled Jiangsu’s lead four minutes later, capitalising on more hesitant Gamba defending to prod home from close range, before Hong headed in a Teixeira free kick to make it 3-0 in the 43rd minute.
Neither team could add to the scoring in the second-half, but Jiangsu knew they had already done more than enough to seal a fourth straight win and ensure their passage to the knockout round for the first time.
Although the defeat saw Gamba drop to the bottom of Group H on three points they remain in with a chance of going through with Jiangsu after Adelaide United beat Jeju United 3-1 earlier in the evening in Jeju to move level with the Korea Republic side on four points.
Photo: Lagardère Sports
Source: the-afc.com