Last-gasp SIPG soars into last 8
Print Edition
A LAST-MINUTE goal from fan-favorite Wu Lei helped Shanghai SIPG stun Tokyo FC 1-0 in their AFC Champions League last-16, second-leg encounter last night, allowing the local club to advance to the quarterfinals on away goal after the tie finished 2-2 on aggregate.
Sven-Goran Eriksson sent his strongest lineup, including Dario Conca, Elkeson and captain Sun Xiang. Ghana international Asamoah Gyan was still missing due to injury.
The J-League side, having won the first leg 2-1 at home, was obviously aiming for a draw and relied mostly on counterattacks throughout the match at Shanghai Stadium.
Wu’s stoppage-time goal that leveled the aggregate score at 2-2 sent SIPG into the last eight in its Asian debut.
“History has been made for the club, for the team and for the fans!” Eriksson said at the post-match press conference.
“We were expecting Tokyo to come here to defend. It became very difficult to score with all their players in the box. But we created chances and it eventually paid off. Every time SIPG lost the ball, the players immediately fought to get it back. That’s just the way I expected them to play.
“In a game like this when one team is playing defensively, it’s better to score a late goal rather than leaving time for the other side to create chances,” the Swede added.
Tokyo FC’s defensive strategy left SIPG with a lot of space to go forward. Argentine midfielder Conca, who just extended a two-year contract with the club, continued to be at the heart of SIPG’s attacks.
Wu and Brazilian striker Elkeson continuously challenged Tokyo FC goalkeeper Akimoto Yota in the last 15 minutes of the first half. However, they failed to convert their chances into goals.
The attacks continued in the second half as SIPG just needed one goal to eliminate its opponent. Tokyo also managed to create several chances, including Maeda Ryoichi’s one-on-one against SIPG goalie Yan Junling, before the latter blocked the Japanese striker’s close-range shot with his leg.
The hosts’ efforts eventually paid off in the closing minutes when Elkeson’s long shot in the 90th was blocked by Akimoto. Wu, waiting in front of the goal, stabbed the ball into the net to clinch the winner and set the stadium on fire.
Wu, naturally, was also named the man of the match.
“I’m very, very excited,” said the China striker. “I believed we could score after the 85th minute. I got the feeling because our team was in control of the match from the very first minute, but didn’t manage to score due to lack of luck.”
Wu also scored the vital away goal for SIPG in the two team’s first-leg clash.
“Despite the first-leg loss, the whole team was confident about today. Everybody carried the faith to create a new history for the club,” he added.
“I’m very excited and feel encouraged by the result,” SIPG captain Sun said. “This is a breakthrough for the whole team. We gave all we had and left our opponents no chance. I believe we can go further in the tournament.”
Another Chinese Super League side Shandong Luneng, the only other Chinese team in the tournament, faces Sydney FC in Australia in their second leg match today. The first leg in Shandong ended 1-1.
Earlier yesterday, Brazilian maestro Leonardo bagged a brilliant brace as 2006 champion Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors beat Melbourne Victory 2-1 to reach the last eight.
The Koreans advanced 3-2 on aggregate after a 1-1 draw in the first leg in Melbourne.
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