Beijing falls to Ulsan
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E-mail China.org.cn, March 7, 2012
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Beijing Guo'an's Xu Liang (fourth from right) competes for the ball with Lee Keun-ho of South Korean side Ulsan Hyundai during their AFC Champions League Group F match in Ulsan, South Korea on Mar.6, 2012. |
First-half goals by Kim Shin-wook and Ko Seul-ki helped lift Korea's Ulsan Hyundai to a 2-1 victory over Beijing Guoan of China in their AFC Champions League Group F opener on Tuesday.
Two first half goals for Ulsan Hyundai - including a 25-yard strike from midfielder Ko Seul-Ki - were enough for victory over Beijing Guoan.
Chinese Super League runners-up Beijing found a way back into the match six minutes after half-time through substitute Piao Cheng, but the visitors failed to complete the comeback as Ulsan set the early pace in Group F alongside Japan's FC Tokyo, who beat Brisbane Roar 2-0 in Australia.
"It was our first home match this year and the players produced their best performance," said Ulsan coach Kim Ho-gon, who saw his side beat Pohang Steelers 1-0 in their K-League opener on Saturday.
The visitors should have taken the lead in the opening exchanges when Beijing captain Xu Yunlong failed to convert an opportunity right in front of goal.
And Beijing paid dearly for the miss as Ulsan took the lead midway through the first half as Kim Shin-wook met Kim Seung-yong's corner with a glancing header.
The hosts extended their lead eight minutes later when Lee Keun-ho brought the ball in from the right flank and although his pass was just behind Kim Shin-wook, it fell nicely for Ko and the midfielder superbly beat Hou Sen from 25 yards.
Beijing, though, reduced the deficit with a fortuitous goal six minutes into the second half as Cheng Piao's attempted chipped pass from midfield sailed over the head over Ulsan goalkeeper Kim Young-kwang.
However, the visitors were unable to find an equaliser and Beijing finished the match with 10 men as Zhang Xinxin picked up a second yellow card in stoppage time.
"The biggest enemy for us was the lack of confidence in the team, while they also struggled to deal with the burden of expectation," said Beijing coach Jaime Pacheco.
