Urawa Red Diamonds beat Guangzhou Evergrande for AFC Champions League final
CGTN
Asia;China
Guangzhou Evergrande players say goodbye to their audience at the second leg of AFC Champions League semifinal in Gunagzhou, China, October 23, 2019. /VCG Photo

Guangzhou Evergrande players say goodbye to their audience at the second leg of AFC Champions League semifinal in Gunagzhou, China, October 23, 2019. /VCG Photo

Thanks to Shinzo Koroki's header in the second half, Urawa Red Diamonds overcame two-time champions Guangzhou Evergrande 1-0 in their second leg of AFC Champions League semifinal here on Wednesday, advancing to the final with a 3-0 win on aggregate. 

The Japanese side will play Saudi Arabia's Al Hilal in the two-leg final.

Guangzhou needed to score at least two goals in their home stadium, as they lost 2-0 to the Japanese side in the first leg. After a struggling first half, Urawa killed the game in the 48th minute as Koroki headed Daiki Hashioka's cross into the far corner.

The home side dominated the first half with 10 shots and Talisca made an early threat with a left-foot shot from the center of the box, only to see Nishikawa Shusaku make a save in the bottom right corner.

Only three minutes later, the Brazilian narrowly missed the target with his header from Wei Shihao's corner cross.

Yuki Abe tested Guangzhou's keeper in the 23rd minute, as his right footed shot from outside of box which was denied by Zeng Cheng.

Talisca missed the best chance to score in the 38th minute as his left-footed strike in the box hit the bar.

Talisca missed the target again with a left-foot shot from right side of the six-yard box three minutes after the match recovered.

Guangzhou seemed to be closer and closer to a goal as they continued their quest. But Urawa sent the home side into hopelessness only three minutes later as Koroki headed to the far corner after Hashioka's cross.

Guangzhou needed to score at least four goals to advance. But this was mission impossible for the Chinese side who netted only one goal in their last three Champions League matches.

Source(s): Xinhua News Agency