AFC Champions League Elite
The win moved Shandong up to 10 points and they must win their Matchday Eight fixture against Korea Republic’s Ulsan HD next week to stand a chance of advancing.
Defeat left Gwangju rooted on 13 points but they sealed their spot in the Round of 16 as they are assured of a top eight finish. Also through from the East Zone following Tuesday's results were Japanese trio Vissel Kobe, Yokohama F. Marinos and Kawasaki Frontale.
Gwangju survived a scare in the seventh minute after Shandong’s Lucas Gazal left the Korean side exposed down the left flank, before Liu Yang pulled his shot just over the bar.
The K League 1 side were let off the hook again a minute later when Zeca threaded a neat through ball to Cryzan, who did well to beat a diving Kim Kyung-min, only to see his shot ricochet off the right post.
Gwangju responded immediately with a counter-attacking move with Park Jeong-in initiating the attack from the centre but Reis should have done better when he sent his curling effort from just above the box wide.
Jasir Asani wasted another opportunity to give the visitors the lead in the 14th minute when he tried to squeeze his shot inside a packed six-yard-box, but the Albanian’s tame shot was easily dealt with by Shandong keeper Wang Dalei.
Shandong took full advantage of Gwangju’s missed chances when Zeca weaved his way inside the box before sending a lobbed pass for Valeri Qazaishvili to strike home the opener in the 16th minute.
Gwangju were left stunned in the 33rd minute when Cryzan sent a clever ball into the box for Zeca, who squeezed his effort into the bottom left corner.
The Korean side reduced the deficit two minutes later when Lee Min-Gi’s shot from inside the box took a huge deflection off Shi Ke before looping over Wang Dalei and crossing the line.
The Chinese Super League side restored their two-goal cushion in first half added time with Cryzan scoring with a thumping header from close range after Kim failed to clear Liu Yang’s follow through.
Despite their efforts, Gwangju only managed to come close in the 72nd minute after Reis hit the left post following Hwang Jae-Hwan’s layoff as Shandong comfortably held on to take the crucial three points.
Related News
- AFC Champions League Elite
MD7: Vissel Kobe (JPN) 4-0 Shanghai Port FC (CHN)
- AFC Champions League Elite
MD7: FC Pohang Steelers (KOR) 0-4 Kawasaki Frontale (JPN)
- AFC Champions League Elite
MD7: Central Coast Mariners (AUS) 1-2 Johor Darul Ta’zim (MAS)
- AFC Champions League Elite
Preview - MD7: Buriram United (THA) v Ulsan HD FC (KOR)
- AFC Champions League Elite
Preview - MD7: Yokohama F. Marinos (JPN) v Shanghai Shenhua FC (CHN)
Item 1 of 5