AFC Champions League

AFC Champions League: Jeju surprised Jiangsu, Guangzhou move top of Group G

K League outfit Jeju United surprisingly defeated China’s Jiangsu FC 2-1 in their Group H clash in the AFC Champions League on Tuesday night.

Ramires headed in the early goal for the hosts, but goals from Magno Cruz and Lee Chang-Min ensured a crucial away win for Jeju.

The result is Jiangsu’s first loss after five group stage games. In the standings, they still are on top with 12 points then Jeju with seven points followed by Adelaide United on five and Gamba Osaka with four.

Gamba Osaka and Adelaide United shared the spoils in a 6-goal thriller at the Suita City Football Stadium, with Gamba taking the lead twice.

After a bright start, Gamba raced into a two-goal advantage in front of their home fans with goals from Shun Nagasawa (6′) and the prodigious Ritsu Doan (12′).

Just seconds before the half-time whistle, Adelaide clawed one back thanks to Sergio Cirio and equalised ten minutes into the second-half when teenage sensation Jordan O’Doherty struck from distance ten minutes after half-time.

The game seemed to be over after Adelaide’s Michael Marrone found the back of the net to give Gamba the lead.

However, Adelaide kept fighting and were rewarded for their spirit when Baba Diawara leapt and headed home with the last movement of the match.

In other AFC Champions League actions, Guangzhou Evergrande thrashed Eastern Sports Club 6-0 to move top of Group G.

Brazil international Paulinho opened the scoring in the eighth minute, before Josh Mitchell’s own-goal just before the break handed Luiz Felipe Scolari’s side a two-goal advantage.

Fellow Brazilian Allan added two more goals after the break before Paulinho and Yu Hanchao wrapped up a comprehensive victory for the Chinese Super League champions late on.

Suwon Samsung Bluewings missed out on securing qualification from Group G after succumbing to a 1-0 defeat to Kawasaki Frontale at the Suwon World Cup Stadium.

Defender Tatsuki Nara scored the only goal of the game as his powerful header early in the second-half gave the J1 League side a crucial three points.

Group G is still wide open before the last matchday on 9 May, with the margins between Guangzhou, Suwon and Kawasaki are just 1 point.

Guangzhou will face Suwon while Kawasaki have the opportunity for to advance when they clash with winless Eastern.