AFC Champions League Elite
Captain Tim Chow’s 35th minute strike was enough to give the China PR side their first three points after their opening 2-1 defeat to Gangwon’s fellow K League side Ulsan HD FC.
Rongcheng keeper Jian Tao made the first save of the match when he pushed out a 10th-minute effort by Kang Yun-gu, who barreled his way through the defence to shoot from just outside the box.
Gangwon’s Hong Chul was up next six minutes later, letting fly with a curling free-kick from the right that had more power than accuracy behind it.
A stop-start first 30 minutes saw the Chinese Super League leaders only making a single foray upfront, with Gangwon keeper Lee Gwang-yeon looking on as Yan Dinghao ballooned the ball from 20 yards in the 34th minute.
Captain Chow, however, turned the match on its head a minute later when he latched onto Yang Shuai’s header and volleyed home from 18 yards past a diving Lee.
The goal galvanised the hosts, with Romulo Pacheco’s free-kick in the 38th minute finding fellow Brazilian Felipe Silva, who squeezed past the Gangwon defence to send a looping header that flew just past the right post.
Gangwon started the second half with little urgency, and Rongcheng took advantage of their lethargy with Yan, Yang Mingyang and Felipe trying their luck within the space of 10 minutes.
Gangwon started the second half with little urgency, and Rongcheng took advantage of their lethargy with Yan, Yang Mingyang and Felipe trying their luck within the space of 10 minutes.
The K League side came close to an equaliser in the 74th minute when Jian rushed to punch a Goo Boon-cheol cross before Vitor Gabriel could get his head to it, with Yun Il-lok then curling the loose ball past the right post.
Rongcheng will host Malaysia Super League champions Johor Darul Ta’zim on October 21 while Gangwon will look for their second League Stage win when they meet Vissel Kobe of Japan the following day.
Rongcheng will host Malaysia Super League champions Johor Darul Ta’zim on October 21 while Gangwon will look for their second League Stage win when they meet Vissel Kobe of Japan the following day.
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