Battle for AFC Champions League semi-finals intensifies

Published on: 25 August 2016

Kuala Lumpur: FC Seoul and Al Nasr claimed wins in the quarter-finals of the 2016 AFC Champions League this week to edge closer to a place in the semi-finals ahead of the return fixtures in three weeks’ time, while the ties involving Shanghai SIPG and Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors and Al Ain and Lokomotiv ended goalless.

AFC CHAMPIONS LEAGUE QUATER-FINAL 1ST LEG HIGHLIGHTS

Former finalists FC Seoul claimed a comprehensive 3-1 win over China’s Shandong Luneng at Seoul World Cup Stadium, a result that United Arab Emirates club Al Nasr bettered in a 3-0 away drubbing of Qatar’s El Jaish.

In the Korea Republic capital city on Wednesday, Montenegro striker Dejan Damjanovic got the scoring underway as he netted his 24th AFC Champions League goal with a firm header on 19 minutes before Park Chu-young added a second on the half-hour.

Walter Montillo did pull one back 10 minutes before the break for Shandong, but Adriano’s tournament-leading 12th goal in the second half ensured FC Seoul will take a two goal lead into the return meeting in Jinan.

“This is just the end of the first half,” said Hwang Sun-hong, who replaced Choi Yong-soo as FC Seoul coach in June.

“We worked hard for this victory in front of our fans but the next step is to advance to the next stage. The second leg will be a difficult and different game and we will have to stay focused and be at our best to get the result we need. There is still a long way to go.”

Emirati club Al Nasr, meanwhile, took a giant step towards reaching their first-ever AFC Champions League semi-final as striker Wanderley led the way with a brace in their emphatic win at El Jaish’s Abdullah Bin Khalifa Stadium.

Burkina Faso international Jonathan Pitroipa was also on target as the Dubai-based club wrapped up a resounding victory ahead of the return fixture in the UAE on September 14.

Also in the West, inaugural champions Al Ain and Lokomotiv played out a 0-0 draw in the first leg in Al Ain city meaning the return in Tashkent on September 13 will determine who advances to the semi-finals.

“I have to be happy with how my team played tonight,” said Al Ain coach Zlatko Dalic. “We had control and possession, but we just missed a goal. We tried throughout the game to have control. We had good opportunities to score, but sometimes we were unlucky and other times we didn’t concentrate.

“We had a good game, but we didn’t win or score a goal – 0-0 is a good result for us from this match. Usually in my time here, we play better away than at home in the AFC Champions League. The result is open and we have a chance for everything.”

And finally, the clash between Shanghai SIPG and Korean champions Jeonbuk remains intriguingly poised after the two sides played out a 0-0 draw in the first leg in Shanghai.

Photos: Lagardère Sports

Source: the-afc.com

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