AFC Champions League: Late penalty gives Shanghai 1-0 victory over Frontale

SHANGHAI: Hulk was hailed by his manager as “one of the best players in Asia” after he buried a late penalty to give Shanghai SIPG a 1-0 victory over Kawasaki Frontale in the AFC Champions League on Wednesday.In a tight battle between the champions of China and Japan, the burly Brazilian forward was the difference to give the hosts all three points in their Group H opener. Hulk, who barely featured for Kawasaki during a spell there in 2005-2008, held his nerve to score from the spot in the 89th minute after midfielder Hidemasa Morita handled in the box.The 32-year-old had a night to forget up until then, somehow missing from close range and firing wide in the second half following a mazy run into the visitors’ box.Hulk, signed by SIPG from Zenit St Petersburg in July 2016 for about 56 million euros, said the Chinese champions — who also have the 60-million-euro Oscar — were defending for long periods.In the other match in Group H, Sydney FC and 2012 champions Ulsan played out a windswept goalless draw, leaving Shanghai in early command.Veteran goal machine Lee Dong-gook rolled back the years as Jeonbuk Motors got their campaign off to a winning start with a 3-1 home victory over Beijing Guoan. The 39-year-old scored his side’s second goal and set up the third in a vintage display at the Jeonju World Cup Stadium.The 2006 and 2016 Asian champions went ahead in the 14th minute when Han Kyo-won took advantage of sloppy defending by Beijing’s new signing from Jeonbuk, Kim Min-jae, to open the scoring. Beijing equalised four minutes before half-time via Zhang Xizhe’s smart finish. But Jeonbuk went back in front three minutes after half-time when Lee pounced to extend his record as the all-time AFC Champions League goalscorer to 37 goals.The ageless Lee with a little more luck could have bagged a quick-fire hat-trick. Lee was the provider in the 71st minute, his cross enabling Kim Shin-wook to head home powerfully to seal victory. In the other Group G clash, Urawa Red Diamonds also began with a comfortable win, 3-0 at home to Thailand’s Buriram United. Daiki Hashioka hit a brace for the Japanese side.

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