In an electrifying AFC Champions League Elite match held in Shanghai Municipality, Shanghai Shenhua from the Chinese Super League (CSL) secured a 2-0 victory against Japan's Kawasaki Frontale of the J1 League on Wednesday.
The game took a dramatic turn when Kawasaki's striker Marcio was shown a straight red card for a stamp on Amadou, leaving Shanghai with a one-man advantage. Capitalizing on the numerical superiority, Wang Haijian made a decisive run into the box and fired a shot that deflected off a defender into the net, giving Shenhua a 1-0 lead in the 23rd minute.
Despite the setback, Kawasaki Frontale mounted several threatening attacks, including a close call where Asahi Sasaki's long-range effort hit the post after goalkeeper Bao Yaxiong made a crucial save. However, Shanghai Shenhua maintained their composure and continued to press forward.
During injury time, Shenhua's Andre Luis was fouled in the penalty area, earning his team a spot kick. Taking full advantage of the opportunity, Luis converted the penalty to seal a 2-0 win for Shanghai, elevating them to fourth place in the East Region standings.
On the same day, Vissel Kobe of the J1 League defeated Ulsan HD from the K League 1 with a convincing 2-0 scoreline on the road. Taisei Miyashiro was the standout performer, netting both goals in the 48th and 73rd minutes. Kobe now sits in second place in the East Region with two wins and one draw, while Ulsan HD faces challenges at the bottom with three consecutive losses.
These results highlight the competitive spirit of the AFC Champions League Elite, setting the stage for thrilling encounters as teams vie for top positions in their respective regions.
Reference(s):
Shanghai Shenhua beats Kawasaki Frontale in AFC Champions League Elite
cgtn.com
