Uzbeks ‘stun’ Japanese champs in Asian League
Reysol pip China’s Renhe 1-0
SINGAPORE, Feb 27, (AFP): Uzbekistan’s Buny-odkor provided the biggest upset of this year’s fledgling AFC Champions League when they shocked J-League title-holders Sanfrecce Hiroshima 2-0 away on Wednesday.
Despite last year’s run to the semifinals the Uzbek cup-winners were considered underdogs against the Japanese champions, but a late goal in each half made them worthy winners in Hiroshima.
Oleksandr Pyshur struck on the stroke of half-time to put the visitors ahead but it wasn’t until the 86th minute that Bunyodkor could be sure of the win, when Fozil Musaev doubled their advantage.
The victory extends Bunyodkor’s fine form in the Asian competition after they overturned three former champions last year before being halted by eventual winners Ulsan Hyundai in the last four.
Elsewhere on day two, Kashiwa Reysol registered the first Japanese win when ex-Guangzhou Evergrande striker Cleo, returning to China to face Guizhou Renhe, was on target in the first half to secure a 1-0 victory.
As Tuesday’s flood of goals quickly dried up, 2009 winners Pohang Steelers were held 0-0 by Beijing Guoan and Australia’s Central Coast Mariners and Suwon Bluewings also finished goalless.
In a frantic finish in Pohang, Beijing midfielder Joffre Guerron fired against the crossbar. For the Steelers, Kim Won- Il missed a golden chance and Hwang Jin-Sung twice went close with headers, but nobody could break the deadlock.
Earlier the Mariners, Australia’s only team in the competition, looked sure to secure all the points at their home ground in Gosford when Kwak Kwang-Seon handled inside the box in the final minutes.
However, Nick Montgomery’s effort was saved, leaving it all square after the Mariners failed to capitalise on a number of chances against the 2011 semi-finalists.
AFC Champions League results
Group D Al Ain (UAE) 3 (Omar Abdulrahma 27, Brosque 46, Gyan 90+2) Al Hilal (KSA) 1 (Al Zoari 9)
Al Rayyan (QAT) 3 (Tabata 37, Omranzadeh 58-og, Nilmar 87) Esteghlal (IRI) 3 (Samuel 27, Borhani 45+2, Nekounam 86-pen) Group G Sanfrecce Hiroshima (JPN) 0 Bunyodkor (UZB) 2 (Oleksandr Pyshur 45, Fozil Musaev 86)
Pohang Steelers (KOR) 0 Beijing Guoan (CHN) 0 Group H Central Coast Mariners (AUS) 0 Suwon Bluewings (KOR) 0
Guizhou Renhe ( CHN) 0 Kashiwa Reysol (JPN) 1 (Cleo 45)
Meanwhile, Uzbekistan has banned football fans from painting their faces or other parts of their body, according to a new code of conduct from the culture and sports ministry.
The new code published this week stipulates that football fans are not allowed “to paint their faces or other parts of their body” and cannot bring in animals or drink alcohol. They must also not shout insults or carry defamatory posters, signs or symbols that could call for ethnic, racial or religious hatred.
The code, approved by the internal affairs ministry, obliges fans to go through a special police check against having firearms, explosives, sharp and oversized objects and hazardous liquids.
Fans who violate or do not obey the new code “will not be allowed in or will be evicted from the event without being refunded the ticket price”, and furthermore “may face a punishment according to the law”, the document says.