East Asia Asia

Oscar scores on debut match as Shanghai SIPG ease past Sukhothai to qualify for AFC Champions League

Former Chelsea footballer Oscar scored on his competitive debut for Chinese Super League side Shanghai SIPG, helping them to beat Thai League outfit Sukhothai 3-0 to qualify for the group stage of the AFC Champions League.

This was also manager Andre Villas-Boas first competitive game at the Shanghai club.

Just five minutes after Oscar’s opener, his compatriot Elkeson doubled the score before an own goal from Toopkhuntod sealed the Chinese club’s progress.

The team will face South Korean’s FC Seoul, Japan’s Urawa Red Diamonds and Australia’s Western Sydney Wanderers in the group stage.

Meanwhile, South Korea’s Ulsan Hyundai also booked their place in the group stage of the competition, after defeating Hong Kong Kitchee 4-3 on penalties shoot-out.

Goals from Ademilson, Shun Nagasawa, and Genta Miura helped J1 League outfit Gamba Osaka to a comfortable victory over Malaysians Johor Darul Ta’zim.

In the West Region, U.A.E.’s Al-Wahda, Saudi Arabians Al-Fateh, Iranians Esteghlal and Bunyodkor of Uzbekistan secured their places in the group stage following victory over Al-Wehdat, Nasaf Qarshi, Al-Sadd and El Jaish, respectively.