Chinese prosper in Asian Champions League
Reuters - Wednesday 02 March 2011, 03:49
SINGAPORE, March 2 (Reuters) - Hangzhou Greentown coach Wu
Jingui credited his team's superior stamina and low-key profile
for their surprise 2-0 win over J-League champions Nagoya
Grampus on the opening night of the Asian Champions League.
The Chinese side, making their debut in the tournament,
scored their Group F victory with second-half goals from
Honduran striker Luis Ramirez and substitute Ba Li at the Yellow
Dragon Stadium on Tuesday.
"They were tired and they didn't know much about us," Wu
told reporters of Hangzhou's opponents. "Chinese players are
physically stronger than other East Asian rivals.
"I always encouraged my players to give full play to our
physical strength and height."
Chinese Super League runners-up Tianjin Teda were also
celebrating on Tuesday after they claimed a 1-0 away win over
South Korean side Jeju United in the opening match of the 2011
tournament.
The Koreans controlled the Group E match for long periods
at a windy Jeju World Cup Stadium but without Asian Cup top
scorer Koo Ja-cheol, who moved to German side VfL Wolfsburg
recently, they struggled in front of goal.
Lee Sang-hyub hit the crossbar in stoppage-time but Jeju
could not find an equaliser for Yu Dabao's 55th minute effort.
"The ability of Chinese teams has improved a lot and I hope
that this result helps to show that," Tianjin coach Arie Haan
told reporters.
Saudi Arabia's Al Hilal were also victims of a surprise
opening day defeat when they lost 2-1 at home to Iranians
Sepahan in Group A.
The night's biggest winners were 2008 champions Gamba Osaka,
who thrashed Melbourne Victory 5-1 after some woeful defending
from the Australians saw them go 3-0 down after just 11 minutes.