Li Yuanyi (L, front) of Shandong Taishan celebrates scoring during the Group G match against Incheon United of South Korea in the 2023-2024 AFC Champions League in Jinan, 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.
Xie Wenneng (L, front) of Shandong Taishan battles for the ball during the AFC Champions League Group G match against Incheon United. (Xinhua/Zhu Zheng)
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.
Chen Pu (R) of Shandong Taishan vies with Paul Jose M'poku of Incheon United. (Xinhua/Zhu Zheng)
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. ■
