The AFC Champions League 2018 produced some interesting clashes on matchday two in the East Zone as the groups start to take shape. Here is a look at what the games produced this week:
GROUP E:
Kitchee SC 0-6 Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors (Adriano 6', 14', 46' Jin-Su 25' Alves 32' Dong-Gook 90+2')
South Korea's Jeonbuk Hyundai dispatched off Hong Kong's Kitchee SC 6-0 on Tuesday to register their second win in as many games in Group E. Brazilian striker Adriano was the star of the show with a hat-trick.
The visitors were all-dominating right from the start and Adriano opened the scoring with a penalty in the 6th minute. The 2016 top-scorer soon grabbed his second goal with a tap-in after Lee Seung-gi’s shot was parried by the Kitchee goalkeeper. Kim Jin-su then made it 3-0 with a swerving shot from distance.
Things got even worse for Kitchee just past the half-hour mark as Tiago Alves headed in from Kim’s cross to make it 4-0. Adriano then completed his hat-trick on the stroke of first-half after Krisztian Vadocz was ruled to have fouled Lee Seung-gi. Adriano duly put away the free-kick.
Adriano set up Lee Dong-gook for Jeonbuk’s sixth in the final seconds to add more gloss to a superb night for Jeonbuk Hyundai.
Kashiwa Reysol 1-1 Tianjin Quanjian (Cristiano 52' - Pato 88')
Tianjian Quanjian maintained their undefeated start to the season after a late equalsier from Milan stiker Alexandre Pato against Japanese outfit Kashiwa Reysol on Tuesday.
Though it was the Chinese visitors who started well in the first half, the home side had the best chance of the first half when Liu Yiming caught Ataru Esaka with a high boot in the box and conceded a penalty. However, Cristiano failed to put it away.
But he made amends in the 52nd minute when he dispatched off a sensational volley in style to give Kashiwa the lead. However, Alexandre Pato popped up in the 88th minute with an equalier to ensure Cristiano would rue his miss and send Tianjin Quanjian three points clear in second place in Group E.
GROUP F:
Ulsan Hyundai 2-1 Kawasaki Frontale (Jae-Yong 42' Yeong-Jae 66' - Chinen 85')
Kawasaki Frontale's nightmare start to the 2018 AFC Champions League continued as they fell to a 2-1 defeat away from home to South Korean side Ulsan Hyundai on Tuesday.
The J.League champions were the better side during the initial exchanges but it was the home team who took the lead in the 42nd minute. Ryota Oshima lost possession inside the penalty box and Mislav Orsic found Jeong Jae-yong who duly put it inside the net.
In the 66th minute, Ulsan doubled their lead after a clearance from Tatsuki Nara fell to Orsic again who teed up Lee Yeong-jae to score a thunderous drive into the top corner. Kei Chinen headed in a goal for Kawasaki Frontale in the 85th minute to set up a nervous finish to the game but ultimately the South Koreans held on to go top of the table.
Shanghai SIPG 4-1 Melbourne Victory (Hulk 27' Wu Lei 41' Oscar 47', 77' - Berisha 69')
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A ruthless Shanghai SIPG came up with a comprehensive 4-1 win over A-League side Melbourne Victory to take control of Group F on Tuesday. Former Chelsea midfielder Oscar grabbed the headlines with a sueprb brace.
In wet conditions in China, it was the home side who struck first. Brazilian superstar Hulk converted a penalty after Jason Geria handled the ball in the box. Wu Lei made it 2-0 in the 41st minute with a header before Oscar took centre-stage.
He scored after a clearance fell to him in the box at the start of the second-half before Melbourne Victory were given a penalty for a handball, which Besart Berisha converted. However, Oscar restored Shanghai's three-goal cushion a sensational curling effort which sealed an emphatic result.
GROUP G:
Cerezo Osaka 0-0 Guangzhou Evergrande
Chinese Super League outfit Guangzhou Evergrande's underwhelming start to the 2018 AFC Champions League continued as they were held to a goalless draw by Japanese side Cerezo Osaka on Wednesday.
Both sides had chances in the first half at the Nagai stadium with Alan spurning a glorious chance for Guangzhou. Cerezo Osaka had two goals ruled out for an offside and the ball travelling out of bounds as the teams shared the spoils.
Guangzhou Evergrande are now in third position in the group after two draws while Cerezo Osaka went top of the table with four points from two games.
Buriram United 0-2 Jeju United (Chang-Min 2' Cruz 21')
South Korea's Jeju United gained an away win against Thailand's Buriram United after strolling to a 2-0 win on Wednesday.
Buriram United were stunned in the second minute of the game when Lee Chang-Min’s left-footed effort from outside the box sneaked in past the home team's custodian, handing Jeju a boost early on.
The South Koreans made it 2-0 in the 21st minute through Jin Seong-uk who was fouled by Jakkaphan Kaewprom. Magno Cruz stepped up to convert the spot-kick without any trouble. The home side were unable to muster a response as Jeju registered their first win of the campaign.
GROUP H:
Shanghai Shenhua 2-2 Sydney FC (Martins 26' Guarin 39' - Wilkshire 28' Brosque 34')
Four goals in a pulsating first-half saw Chinese side Shanghai Shenhua split points at home against A-League side Sydney FC on Wednesday.
It was the home side who took the lead in the 26th minute when Obafemi Martins bundled home from Li Yunqiu’s cut-back. That goal proved to be the catalyst for goals as Sydney FC equalised within two minutes. Li Shuhai saved Bobo’s header but Luke Wilkshire slotted home the rebound.
Then the A-League side took the lead in the 34th minute when Milos Ninkovic's through-ball was finished by Alex Brosque. However, five minutes later the game was level again. Fredy Guarin volleyed home after the keeper's punch out fell to him.
The second-half was relatively sedate and the game finished level.
Suwon Bluewings 1-2 Kashima Antlers (Cristovam 89' - Kanazaki 8', 59')
A brace from Mu Kanazaki helped Kashima Antlers register a 2-1 away win over South Korea's Suwon Bluewings on Wednesday.
The Japanese side took the lead very early on as Kanazaki calmly sidefooted home after Yasushi Endo floated a pass in for him. Suwon had a glorious chance to equalise when they were awarded a penalty in the 24th minute. However, Dejan Damjanovic’s spot-kick was saved by Kwoun Sun-tae.
Kanazaki made it 2-0 in the 59th minute when Endo swung in a fine cross. Kento Misao's effort was then nodded over the line by Kanazaki. Suwon got a goal back late on after Cristovam's fine solo effort but it was not enough to stop Kashima from winning all three points.
