Sydney smash Suwon to restore Asian CL hopes
Kashima book place in last 16 Asian Kyokushin Karate Champ’ship starts Friday
China’s Shanghai Shenhua player Li Peng (left), fights for the ball with Japan’s Kashima Antlers striker Yuma Suzuki (right), during the AFC Asian Champions League group match
between the Shanghai Shenhua and Kashima Antlers in Shanghai on April 3. (AFP) HONG KONG, April 3, (Agencies): Sydney FC revived their hopes of advancing to the knockout rounds of the Asian Champions League on Tuesday with a surprise 4-1 win over Suwon Bluewings in South Korea.
Milos Ninkovic gave Sydney the lead only for Dejan Damjanovic to level. However, goals from Alex Brosque, Adrian Mierzejewski and Bobo secured a win that gives Sydney hope of a top two finish in Group H.
“It was a very hard game for us and I think Suwon played well, but we had our chances and we scored goals and we are very happy,” said Mierzejewski.
Sydney will host a Shanghai Shenhua side on April 17 that squandered a two-goal lead against Kashima Antlers, with the 2-2 draw eliminating the Chinese Super League side from the competition as Kashima booked their place in the last 16.
Goals from Giovanni Moreno and Mao Jianqing gave Shenhua a healthy advantage at halftime. However, the introduction of Mu Kanazaki inspired the Japanese side, with Yuma Suzuki and Leandro scoring to salvage a draw.
The result means Kashima cannot finish Chairperson of the higher organizing committee for Asian Kyokushin Karate Championship Khaled Abdullatif Al-Manei has affirmed readiness for the kickoff of the championship on Friday at Kuwait Sports Club under the patronage of the Public Authority for Sports (PAS).
In a press conference at the Continental Hotel recently, Al-Manei revealed the participants will start arriving on Wednesday and the draw lots for choosing the team groups will be conducted on Thursday in the presence of the heads of participating delegations.
He expressed appreciation and gratitude to PAS Director General Dr Hamoud Al-Fuleiteh for agreeing to sponsor the championship, and for the support given by Deputy Chairperson of Kuwait Sports Club Khaled Al-Ghanim and Kuwait Karate Federation.
Meanwhile, Chairperson of Kyokushin Committee Du’a Abbas pointed out the Asian championship is considered the toughest competition for qualifying in the world championship and 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
Du’a added 12 countries will participate in the championship — Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Kingdom of Bahrain, India, the United Arab Emirates, Mongolia, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Malaysia, Iran and the hosting nation, State of Kuwait.
The weight categories in this championship are as follows: under 70 kilograms, 80 kilograms, 90 kilograms and above 90 kilograms.
It is worth mentioning that Kuwait is the first Arab country to host the Kyokushin championship. Organizers are urging the public to come out in droves to fully support the national team which is expected to win advanced places.