Sports Tuesday, December 1, 2020 13 Ulsan Hyundai’s former QSL midfielder Koh Myong-jin says he’s pleased to be back in Qatar TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK Also, this time I was coming man-of-the-match winning DOHA I have played here for four years and hence I was back as a member of a South performance against Shanghai comfortable while playing. That is why I wanted to show my Korean team – so I wanted to Shenhua on 21 November, it SOUTH Korean midfielder do well. I am glad I did and looks like coach Kim Do-hoon Koh Myong-jin, familiar to quality. Also, this time I was coming back as a member of a once again I am so pleased to will be banking on his midfield football lovers of Qatar as the South Korean team – so I wanted to do well. I am glad I did be back in Qatar.” duo to derive motivation from hard-working, tough-tackling and once again I am so pleased to be back in Qatar. The two-time K League their exploits of the past in the professional of Al Rayyan winner and 2013 AFC Cham- 2022 FIFA WC host nation as SC’s romp to the Qatar Stars Koh Myong-jin, two-time K League winner and 2013 AFC pions League runner-up with his team looks to cement its League title in 2015-16, has Champions League runner-up with FC Seoul, was part of FC Seoul was part of Jorge Fos- place in the knock-out stages. displayed another dimension Jorge Fossati’s Al Rayyan squad during the 2015-16 QSL. sati’s Al Rayyan squad which, As a member of the South of his skill sets upon his return endowed with the attacking Korean national team, Yoon to the 2022 FIFA World Cup umphed 2-0 to emerge as the Rayyan between 2015 and riches of Qatari internationals had scored the extra-time win- host nation with K League club group leaders. 2019, has had no hesitation Rodrigo Tabata and Sebastian ner against a strong Iranian Ulsan Hyundai in the 2020 Though he was not on the in attributing his masterclass Soria and Spanish forward Ser- side in the 2011 AFC Asian AFC Champions League. scoresheet, Koh was a constant to the comfort level he had in gio Garcia, had bagged the title Cup held in Qatar. Deployed as an attacking source of threat for the Aus- once adopted home Qatar. with a 14-point gap over the “I scored a good goal here midfielder by coach Kim Do- sies throughout the 90 min- “I feel really pleased to be second placed side in 2015-16. (against Iran) and have good hoon in the Group F game utes with his darting runs and back in Qatar,” Koh told media With Koh’s Ulsan midfield memories of Qatar. It was not against Australia’s Perth Glo- piercing passes and his efforts after the match. compatriot Yoon Bit-garam, only me – my teammates also ry at Education City Stadium, led to the Korean side’s total “I have played here for four who started along with Koh showed a strong will,” he had Koh produced a standout dominance in the midfield. years and hence I was comfort- against Perth Glory, having told media after his brace in man-of-the-match winning The 32-year-old, who able while playing. That is why spoken about his share of glo- the 3-1 win against Shanghai performance as his side tri- made 82 appearances for Al I wanted to show my quality. rious Qatar memories after his Shenhua. Shenhua, Perth Glory share points in thriller AFC ing a stop from returning Perth Perth Glory poked home the equaliser sev- DOHA goalkeeper Liam Reddy, before midfielder Dane en minutes, with his 190-cen- Daniel Stynes asked the ques- Ingham (right) vies timetre frame too much for SHANGHAI Shenhua missed a tion of Shenhua custodian Li for the ball with 16-year-old Perth defender chance to boost their 2020 AFC Shuai at the other end. Shanghai Shenhua Josh Rawlins to handle. Champions League knockout Dane Ingham was also de- defender Yue Zhu Shenhua were now in full stage prospects as they were nied twice by Li, although he during their AFC flight, and they went ahead just held to a gripping 3-3 draw by should have done better with Champions League a minute later when Yu contin- already-eliminated Perth Glory his tame effort after some terrif- Group F match at ued his terrific form by curling on Monday. ic build-up in the 34th minute, the Education City in his third of the tournament A pair of superb free-kicks while Shenhua’s Liu Ruofan Stadium on from 20 yards. from Bruno Fornaroli and Car- had one effort blocked on the Monday. (AFP) That looked to be the win- lo Armiento had the Austral- goal line by Jonathan Aspro- ning goal, but Perth – who had ians in sight of their first ever potamitis and another impres- fallen victim to late collapses win the competition, but Shen- sively saved by Reddy. in their two previous match- hua came roaring back with a Fornaroli showed them all es against Ulsan Hyundai – brace from Givoanni Moreno, how it was done in the second wouldn’t leave empty handed and Yu Hanchao then had minute of injury time, pick- this time, with Kilkenny calmly them ahead in the 73rd minute, ing out the top corner with a slotting home an 86th minute before Neil Kilkenny salvaged scorching 25-yard free kick to ther behind to another direct come easily was quickly dis- spot-kick after Stephane M’Bia Perth’s maiden point from the put Perth ahead at half-time, free-kick in the 58th minute. missed when Moreno pulled had clumsily fouled Armiento. penalty spot. giving the Uruguayan his first This latest piece of set piece a goal back for Shenhua four A stop from Reddy denied The result means Choi career goal in Asian competi- wizardry was executed by Carlo minutes later, with the Colom- a last-gasp from Yu while Cao Kang-hee’s side are level with tion. Armiento, who scored with his bian star climbing the highest Yunding was sent off after the second-placed FC Tokyo on Perth were very nearly very first kick of the ball, and to head home Cao Yunding’s final whistle of the thrilling tie. seven points, with Thursday’s caught cold at the beginning of less than a minute after replac- floated cross. Shanghai Shenhua’s fate final round of Group F matches the second half, with another ing Daniel Stynes, with Li fail- Fornaroli squandered a now rests on the group’s final to determine who advances. important Reddy stop denying ing to keep the 20-yard effort gilt-edged chance to restore Matchday. The Chinese side Koh Myong-jin of Ulsan Hyundai (No. 22) ahead of the AFC Champions In a thrill-a-minute contest Bi Jinhao, and Shenhua were out despite getting a hand to it. Perth’s two-goal buffer in the will face group winners Ulsan League Group F match against Australia’s Perth Glory at the the chances flowed from the on top for the much of the fol- Any expectation that 65th minute, and he was made Hyundai, while FC Tokyo will Education City Stadium on Friday. (AFP) early stages, with Moreno forc- lowing stages, but they fell fur- Perth’s first ACL win would to rue his miss when Moreno meet Perth. Melbourne hopes Guangzhou, Suwon to lock suffer blow with horns in do-or-die battle draw vs Chiangrai AFC AFC DOHA Marinos DOHA GUANGZHOU Evergrande look to seal MELBOURNE Victory’s hopes face their ultimate test in of advancing to the 2020 AFC pursuit of a place in the 2020 knockout Champions League Round of 16 AFC Champions League (East) suffered a blow after they were Round of 16 when they take on held 2-2 by Chiangrai United in Suwon Samsung Bluewings at berth against Group E action on Monday. Khalifa International Stadium With FC Seoul falling to a on Tuesday. Jeonbuk 3-1 defeat at Beijing FC, both With Vissel Kobe having sides went into the game know- secured their place in the next OKOHAMA F. Marinos will ing triumph at Jassim bin round a week earlier, the two Yhave two chances to book Hamad Stadium would put the sides know their second head- their ticket to the 2020 AFC winners within three points of to-head clash will be vital for Champions League Round of reaching the knock-out stages. their chances of staying in 16, but head coach Ange Poste- Melbourne Victory got off Doha beyond the group stage. coglou is eager to ensure that to a flying start and within And while Suwon Samsung only one is required when they eight minutes Jake Brimmer Bluewings still have a game face Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors had found his way into the op- Melbourne’s forward Ben Folami against Group G leaders Vissel on Tuesday. position box and was brought (left) celebrates his goal against Kobe three days later, mean- Guangzhou Evergrande face their ultimate test for a place in the 2020 AFC Champions League (East) Joint group leaders along- down by goalkeeper Apirak Thailand’s Chiangrai United at ing a draw on Tuesday still Round of 16 when they take on Suwon Samsung Bluewings at Khalifa International Stadium on Tuesday. side Shanghai SIPG on nine Worawong. Brimmer stepped the Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium keeps their hopes alive and in points, the 2019 J1 League up to take the penalty himself on Monday.