Match day number 4 for the Asian Champions League with Jeonbuk visiting Tianjin after last week’s game in South Korea. Quanjian sitting at second place tied with Kashiwa and a win today could make them favourites to advancing through the next round.
Anthony Modeste almost gave the early lead to Sousa’s men but his powerful right-foot shot was blocked by Jeonbuk’s keeper with the Frenchman’s header going wide seconds later from the corner kick.
Modeste didn’t score but did create his team’s first of the night four minutes later
passing to Yongpo Wang who comfortably converted to 1-0 (8′).
Axel Witsel was close to his second of the season but his power shot after the
deflection went wide at the 20′ minute.
Tianjin had another incredible chance to increase the lead at the 34′ minute with Axel assisting Modeste but the striker’s header scratched Jeonbuk’s left post. A minute later, Jeonbuk punished the home team with Shin-Wook bringing things level with a header; 1-1 to half time with Axel’s shot from the spot being deflected minutes earlier.
A really strong entrance from Tianjin into the second half with Axel cooperating with Pato but the Brazilian’s power shot trembled Jeonbuk’s post; unlucky outcome after a beautiful 1-2 between the two players.
Tianjin was determined to push more and the second goal indeed came at the 55′ minute with Cheng Zhang scoring a beautiful header to regain the lead.
Tianjin stayed at the driver’s seat only for 12 minutes, with Adriano tying the game with a very lucky goal after deflections in the box.
But Modeste had different plans…the Frenchman’s run-and-lob gave the lead again for Tianjin with six minutes on the clock. Cherry on top of the cake, Alexandre Pato’s first of the night to conclude the triumph for Tianjin, 4-2, remaining at second place with seven points, three clear of Kashiwa Reysol.
