Sports Tuesday, December 1, 2020 13 Hyundai’s former QSL midfielder Koh Myong-jin says he’s pleased to be back in Tribune News Network Also, this time I was coming man-of-the-match winning 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 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 , was part of FC Seoul was part of Jorge Fos- place in the knock-out stages. displayed another dimension ’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 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 ) 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 ’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 , before midfielder Dane en minutes, with his 190-cen- 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 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 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 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 , 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 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 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 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 ’s Chiangrai United at ing a draw on Tuesday still Round of 16 when they take on 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 up to take the penalty himself on Monday. (AFP) their own hands, Guangzhou champions hold a handsome and duly converted, putting Evergrande know any result Standings Group G Today’s Matches five-point advantage on third- his team in front. With just nine minutes to other than the three points Club P W D L GF GA GD Pts At Khalifa International placed Jeonbuk, meaning their The Australian side doubled go, Melbourne Victory thought leaves their fate at the mercy Vissel Kobe (JPN) 3 2 0 1 4 3 1 6 Stadium progression will be secure even their lead in the 27th minute they had scored against the of the Korean side. Guangzhou Evergrande FC (CHN) 3 1 1 1 3 3 0 4 1pm: Guangzhou Evergrande with a draw at the Al Janoub when Ben Folami latched onto run of play when Luis Lawrie- FC (CHN) v Suwon Samsung The two teams settled for Suwon Samsung Bluewings (KOR) 2 0 1 1 0 1 -1 1 Stadium. But head coach An- a long pass from Jacob Butter- Lattanzio sent youngster Bir- a stalemate when they met in Bluewings (KOR) gle Postecoglou has never been field, lobbing the goalkeeper kan Kirdar through on goal their first fixture in the Qatar At known to approach games with a quality first-touch finish with a sublime through pass, capital nine days earlier, and ficult situation, so we will aim ings, meanwhile, have reached 1pm: Yokohama F. Marinos looking for any other than three from inside the box. but goalkeeper Worawong was since then head coach Fabio for victory tomorrow. the semi-finals on two occa- (JPN) v Jeonbuk Hyundai points, and the former Austral- Chiangrai United started quick off his line and smoth- Cannavaro’s men exchanged “We don’t have any par- sions; most recently in their Motors FC (KOR) ia boss declared he was excited the second half on the front ered the substitute’s shot. 4pm: Shanghai SIPG FC (CHN) wins with Vissel Kobe while ticular issues. Before arriving last appearance in 2018 when v Sydney FC (AUS) about the 90 minutes ahead. foot and within two minutes Instead it was Chiangrai Suwon Samsung Bluewings here we had a lot of problems they lost to of “It’s another good challenge they had halved the deficit. United who immediately picked enjoyed plenty of rest with with our attackers. In the . for us. They’re a very good team Playmaker Siwakorn Tiatrakul up the counter attack and deliv- their double-tie against Johor first matches we created a lot “If we want to go forward, not get tired. The good news with a very good coach and whipped a cross from the right ered at the other end. Tiatrakul Darul Ta’zim cancelled as the of chances but we could not we should win this match. is that Fernandinho was back they’ve been successful again in flank that evaded everyone in- showed his creativity to sup- Malaysian side withdrew from score. Now that we have a full We will do our best. We know in training yesterday, the bad the K League. They have great side the box and goalkeeper ply Chotipat Poomkeaw down the competition. squad, we are more confident them, we played against them news - Park Ji-soo wasn’t in pedigree in this tournament. Matthew Acton misjudged the the right and the number 13 “In the first match, there that we can find the goals that nine days ago. Of course, if we good condition this morning. They have a few injuries and flight of the ball, watching it whipped in a low cross for fellow was a look of misfortune that will help us win tomorrow.” want to go to the next stage, we “I know I don’t have all my players missing, but it is a great nestle in the back of his net. substitute Gionata Verzura who prevented us from winning Two-time AFC Champions must win. They have a game players here but I will give the challenge for us. The Thai side continued swept home the equaliser. but since then we trained well League winners Guangzhou more, but for us it is the last opportunity to everyone even “We’re trying to establish to dominate, taking the game The result officially con- and that should help us win Evergrande have made the game. I want to try to win this if they are young, but this is ourselves in this competi- to their opponents’ half with signs Chiangrai United to a tomorrow,” said Suwon head knockout stage in all but one game because we don’t want to the only way. In football, you tion for years to come and Tiatrakul heading high at the group stage exit on their conti- coach Park Kun-ha. of their eight appearances in wait,” said Cannavaro. can do amazing things, but games like tomorrow are a near post and Brazilian forward nental debut, while Melbourne “It is true that a draw still the competition, crashing out “It is not easy, I tried in the if you don’t win, it means lit- good chance to test ourselves Bill testing the goalkeeper from Victory now need a win against keeps our chances alive, but if at the group stage in 2016. last three games to change the tle,” added FIFA World Cup against one of Asia’s best,” distance before the midway FC Seoul in their last game to we draw it will be a very dif- Suwon Samsung Bluew- line-up every time so we do winner Cannavaro. said Postecoglou. (AFC) point of the second half. advance to the Round of 16.