Thu Dau Mot City: Ji Xiang and Nguyen Anh Duc were on target for either side as China’s Jiangsu FC were held to a 1-1 draw by 10-man Becamex Binh Duong from Vietnam in the AFC Champions League Group E opener on Tuesday.
Ji put the Chinese FA Cup winners in front after 13 minutes at Binh Duong Stadium, but captain Anh Duc restored parity for the Vietnamese champions with a penalty just before the half hour mark.
And although Cameroon forward Christian Amougou was sent-off after 68 minutes, the hosts were able to hang on for a well-earned point.
After a positive start for the visitors, midfielder Ji netted the first goal of the 2016 AFC Champions League as he fired in Jo’s pull-back from the left from 12 yards out.
And another Brazilian debutant, Ramires, was nearly involved in a second goal as his acrobatic scissor-kick from Jo’s headed flick-on sailed narrowly over the crossbar.
The hosts were not overawed by Jiangsu, though, and Amougou went close with a header on 22 minutes.
And after a flying challenge on Amougou’s strike partner Henry Kisekka by Jiangsu goalkeeper Zhang Sipeng resulted in a penalty to the home side, composed captain Anh Duc coolly despatched the spot-kick on 28 minutes with a chipped effort.
Jiangsu came out strongly after the restart with Wu Xi, Xin Lin and Jo all going close to restoring the Chinese Super League side’s lead as marquee signing Alex Teixeira began to increase his influence on the game.
Binh Duong tried to respond, but their efforts suffered a blow with 22 minutes remaining as Amougou received his marching orders after receiving his second yellow card of the match.
Jiangsu attempted to take advantage of their numerical superiority, but Binh Duong goalkeeper Bui Tan Truong was in inspired form, and along with his defenders, proved an obstacle too big to overcome for the away side.
Source: the-afc.com