BEIJING: Zhong Yihao netted the decisive spot-kick as Chinese giants Guangzhou Evergrande reached the Asian Champions League quarterfinals after a nerve-shredding penalty shoot-out against Shandong Luneng on Tuesday.
Brazil international Paulinho scored twice as the second leg ended 4-4 on aggregate after extra time, but it was Zhong who struck the killer blow as Evergrande shaded their Chinese rivals 6-5 on penalties.
Earlier, in Hiroshima, Shoma Doi scored in each half as Kashima lost 3-2 on the night but finished 3-3 on aggregate, going through with their two away goals which followed last week’s 1-0 win at home.
The title-holders came under sustained pressure before Doi gave them the lead against the run of play when he pounced on a weak defensive header 12 minutes before half-time. Sanfrecce got a lifeline when Tomoya Inukai headed into his own net on 63 minutes, before Sho Sasaki smashed a second goal for the home side at the near post. But at 2-1 on the night and with the aggregate scores level, Sanfrecce goalkeeper Hirotsugu got himself sent off when he rushed out and brought down Doi near centre circle.
Liverpool's Egyptian striker Mohamed Salah runs with the ball during the English Premier League football match between...
Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has pleaded for patience after a poor run of results. —AFP FileMANCHESTER:...
Real Madrid’s Turkish midfielder Arda Guler celebrates scoring his team’s first goal against Real Sociedad. —...
Sweden's Armand Duplantis competes in the men's pole vault final at Astana Indoor Meet for Amin Tuyakov Prizes during...
Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland and Shane Lowry of Ireland on the 18th green during the first round of the Zurich...
England’s leg-spinner Adil Rashid , and Pakistan's Skipper batsman Babar Azam. — ICC/FileBIRMINGHAM: England’s...