Xie Wenneng (L, front) of Shandong Taishan competes during the Group G match between Shandong Taishan of China and Incheon United of South Korea at the 2023-2024 AFC Champions League in Jinan of east China's Shandong Province, Nov. 7, 2023. (Xinhua/Zhu Zheng)
JINAN, China, Nov. 7 (Xinhua) -- China's Shandong Taishan downed Incheon United of South Korea 3-1 at home in the AFC Champions League group stage on Tuesday, bolstering their hopes of reaching the Round of 16.
Shandong took the initiative with Li Yuanyi testing Incheon goalkeeper Kim Dong-heon from distance just seconds from kick off. The visitors enjoyed better possession in the first half, which ended 0-0.
Choi Kang-hee made three changes to his Shandong side at half-time including the introduction of Brazilian attacker Cryzan Barcelos in place of Zheng Zheng while Hernandes Rodrigues replaced Stefan Mugosa for Incheon United.
Shandong broke the deadlock in the 54th minute as Li Yuanyi tapped home after a cross from Liu Binbin was not dealt with fully by Kim Dong-heon.
Incheon United fell further behind in the 65th minute when Kwon Han-jin passed the ball into his own goal with the goalkeeper out of position.
In the 75th minute, Cryzan converted a penalty kick after Hong Si-hoo fouled Li Hailong inside the box.
Incheon scored a consolation goal in the dying seconds through Kim Dohyeok.
In the same group, Yokohama F. Marinos defeated Philippines' Kaya FC 2-1 on Tuesday.
In other action, Japan's Kawasaki Frontale beat Thailand's BG Pathum United 4-2, while Malaysia's Johor Darul Ta'zim defeated South Korea's Ulsan Hyundai 2-1. ■
Cryzan (front) of Shandong Taishan celebrates his goal during the Group G match between Shandong Taishan of China and Incheon United of South Korea at the 2023-2024 AFC Champions League in Jinan of east China's Shandong Province, Nov. 7, 2023. (Xinhua/Zhu Zheng)
Xie Wenneng (C) of Shandong Taishan competes during the Group G match between Shandong Taishan of China and Incheon United of South Korea at the 2023-2024 AFC Champions League in Jinan of east China's Shandong Province, Nov. 7, 2023. (Xinhua/Zhu Zheng)
Chen Pu (R) of Shandong Taishan vies with Paul Jose M'poku of Incheon United during the Group G match between Shandong Taishan of China and Incheon United of South Korea at the 2023-2024 AFC Champions League in Jinan of east China's Shandong Province, Nov. 7, 2023. (Xinhua/Zhu Zheng)
Kweon Han-Jin (L) of Incheon United reacts after scoring an own goal during the Group G match between Shandong Taishan of China and Incheon United of South Korea at the 2023-2024 AFC Champions League in Jinan of east China's Shandong Province, Nov. 7, 2023. (Xinhua/Zhu Zheng)
Li Yuanyi (L, front) of Shandong Taishan celebrates scoring during the Group G match between Shandong Taishan of China and Incheon United of South Korea at the 2023-2024 AFC Champions League in Jinan of east China's Shandong Province, Nov. 7, 2023. (Xinhua/Zhu Zheng)
Sakakibara Kiego (R) of Yokohama F. Marinos heads the ball during the Group G match between the Philippines' Kaya FC-Iloiloin and Japan's Yokohama F. Marinos at the 2023-2024 AFC Champions League in Manila, the Philippines, Nov. 7, 2023. (Xinhua/Rouelle Umali)
Murakami Yuhi (2nd L) of Yokohama F. Marinos is congratulated by his teammates after scoring during the Group G match between the Philippines' Kaya FC-Iloiloin and Japan's Yokohama F. Marinos at the 2023-2024 AFC Champions League in Manila, the Philippines, Nov. 7, 2023. (Xinhua/Rouelle Umali)
Murakami Yuhi (R) of Yokohama F. Marinos vies with Ricardo Sendra of Kaya FC-Iloilo during the Group G match between the Philippines' Kaya FC-Iloiloin and Japan's Yokohama F. Marinos at the 2023-2024 AFC Champions League in Manila, the Philippines, Nov. 7, 2023. (Xinhua/Rouelle Umali)
Murakami Yuhi of Yokohama F. Marinos celebrates scoring during the Group G match between the Philippines' Kaya FC-Iloiloin and Japan's Yokohama F. Marinos at the 2023-2024 AFC Champions League in Manila, the Philippines, Nov. 7, 2023. (Xinhua/Rouelle Umali)
Abou Sy (L) of Kaya FC-Iloilo vies with Yoshio Kaina of Yokohama F. Marinos during the Group G match between the Philippines' Kaya FC-Iloiloin and Japan's Yokohama F. Marinos at the 2023-2024 AFC Champions League in Manila, the Philippines, Nov. 7, 2023. (Xinhua/Rouelle Umali)
Simone Rota of Kaya FC-Iloilo competes during the Group G match between the Philippines' Kaya FC-Iloiloin and Japan's Yokohama F. Marinos at the 2023-2024 AFC Champions League in Manila, the Philippines, Nov. 7, 2023. (Xinhua/Rouelle Umali)
Goalkeeper IIkura Hiroki (top R) of Yokohama F. Marinos vies with Abou Sy of Kaya FC-Iloilo (top L) during the Group G match between the Philippines' Kaya FC-Iloiloin and Japan's Yokohama F. Marinos at the 2023-2024 AFC Champions League in Manila, the Philippines, Nov. 7, 2023. (Xinhua/Rouelle Umali)
Murakami Yuhi (L) of Yokohama F. Marinos competes during the Group G match between the Philippines' Kaya FC-Iloiloin and Japan's Yokohama F. Marinos at the 2023-2024 AFC Champions League in Manila, the Philippines, Nov. 7, 2023. (Xinhua/Rouelle Umali)
