Shanghai Shenhua battled to a 1-1 draw against South Korea's Ulsan HD in a pulsating AFC Champions League Elite group stage clash on Wednesday. The hosts came close to breaking the deadlock early on, but Luis Asue was denied in a one-on-one by goalkeeper Jo Hyeon-woo just six minutes in.
Both sides tested each other's resolve before the break. In first-half stoppage time, Matias Lacava unleashed a long-range strike from Ulsan, only for Shanghai keeper Xue Qinghao to pull off a comfortable save.
The breakthrough arrived three minutes after half-time, when Equatorial Guinea forward Asue pounced on a deflected cross from Joao Teixeira, firing a first-time finish past Jo. Ulsan responded 15 minutes later, as Ko Seung-beom set up Gustav Ludvigson, who side-footed a volley into the bottom corner to level the score.
Shenhua piled on late pressure and nearly snatched victory in the 74th minute when Asue rounded Jo but dragged his shot wide, leaving fans buzzing. The 1-1 draw sets up intriguing rematches ahead: Shenhua will host Seoul, while Ulsan head to Japan to face Sanfrecce Hiroshima.
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Shanghai Shenhua fight Ulsan to 1-1 draw in AFC Champions League Elite
cgtn.com
