Elkeson’s double sees Guangzhou through
Print Edition
A FIRST-HALF double from Brazilian striker Elkeson rescued title-holder Guangzhou Evergrande from possible elimination and sent it into the AFC Champions League last 16 yesterday.
Marcello Lippi’s injury-hit tournament favorites had been in danger of bowing out but they shrugged off the pressure to beat Yokohama F Marinos 2-1 in their final group game.
Guangzhou was joined by 2006 winner Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors, which survived a late penalty shout to draw 0-0 with Melbourne Victory and escape an ultra-tight Group G on goal difference.
Earlier in Group H, Western Sydney Wanderers beat Guizhou Renhe 5-0, the biggest win by an Australian club in the competition, to reach the knockouts on its tournament debut.
And Japan’s Kawasaki Frontale also progressed when it was 3-1 winner at home against Ulsan Hyundai, the 2012 champion which paid the price for losing its last three games.
Last week’s shock loss to Victory had left World Cup-winner Lippi’s much-admired Guangzhou in the perilous position of being level with all three of its group rivals on points with one game remaining.
But on a tense evening at Guangzhou’s Tianhe Sport Center stadium, Elkeson took just 11 minutes to settle the nerves when he nodded the defending champion in front.
And the packed crowd were celebrating shortly before half-time when the big forward, fed by Muriqui, chipped the on-rushing goalkeeper and saw his shot headed over the line by defender Yuzo Kobayashi.
Guangzhou was without injured captain Zheng Zhi, although Muriqui started and Italy international Alessandro Diamanti was a second-half substitute as he also returned from a spell on the sidelines.
As Yokohama struggled to make an impression, Guangzhou had two glaring misses through Gao Lin and Elkeson, who blazed over an open goal after Muriqui’s trickery had left the goalkeeper stranded.
And with five minutes left, Manabu Saito pulled one back with a scything left-footed strike from the edge of the box.
But there was to be no miracle comeback by the Japanese side.
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