Image Credit: AFC
Chinese Super League outfit Guangzhou Evergrande beat J1 League side Kashima Antlers 1-0 in the Round of 16 first-leg of the AFC Champions League at Tianhe Stadium in Guangzhou on Tuesday.
Paulinho’s only goal of the game in the second half extended Evergrande’s great record in the knockout stages of the AFC Champions League, having lost one game at home.
Meanwhile, Kashima Antlers have never won a game in the knockout stages.
After the two sides tied 0-0 at the break, Paulinho broke the deadlock in the 75th minute with a close-range shot after receiving a cross after a corner from Yu Hanchao.
In the end, Evergrande held on to their narrow but vital lead with the return leg taking place on May 30 at Kashima Soccer Stadium in Ibaraki.