Reds avenge 2008 final loss, draw for FC Tokyo
SINGAPORE: Adelaide United avenged their heir 2008 final loss to Gamba Osaka and FC tokyo were held by a last-gasp equaliser on Tuesday in a frustrating night for Japanese clubs in thee AFC Champions League. Adelaide’s form with Reds the made 2-0 light win at of home, their courtesy poor Aleague Artesy of a surprise first-half double from defender Daniel Mullen, which put them top of Group E with six points from two games.
The victory was all the more satisfying for Adelaide after their 5-0 thrashing by Gamba over two Brisbane legs four Roar years also ago came in the away final from of Asia’s a tricky premier prericky club competition. trip to Beijing Guoan with a 1-1 draw, as the Aleague champions showed their mettle after a disappointing home defeat to FC Tokyo last time around.
At Beijing’s famous Workers Stadium, midfielder Piao Cheng opened the scoring on seven minutes but the advantage was swiftly erased by Brisbane’s Mitch Nichols.
Nichols’ goal on 21 minutes gave Indonesian owned Brisbane their first point of the AFC Champions League and lifted them off bottom spot in Group F.
At the top of the group, FC Tokyo twice saw victory fall from their grasp as Ulsan Hyundai came from a goal down, conceded, and then equalised again through Brazilian striker Maranhao with just two minutes remaining.
Defender Yuhei Tokunaga had opened the scoring in the first half for FC Tokyo when he buried a llooping shot from the edge of the box following Tatsuya Yazawa’s corner.
Ulsan hhad to wait until 10 minutes from time for their first equaliser, when forward Kim Seung-yonyong received a raking kick from his own goalkeeper and flicked home for 1-1. Yohei Kajiyama put the hosts ahead again three minutes later but substitute Maranmaranhao’s late strike rescued a point for Ulsan on 88 minutes. Tokyo and Ulsan now have four points each at the top of Group F. In Adelaide, Mullen headed home in the 18th minute after hitting the bar moments earlier and pounced again when striker Bruce Djite flicked a close-range header at goalkeeper Yosuke Fujigaya.
Fujigaya’s instinctive parry fell at Mullen’s feet and he gratefully tapped the ball into the net.
Adelaide managed to protect their lead for the remainder of the match as Gamba failed to crack the resolute home defence. — AFP