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2019.11.27 17:23 GMT+8

Jiangsu snatch a draw in AFC Women's Club Championship opener

Updated 2019.11.27 17:23 GMT+8
Sports Scene

Players of Jiangsu Suning celebrate their goal in the game against Nippon TV Beleza at the first AFC Women's Club Championship at Yongin Citizens Sports Park, November 26, 2019. /VCG Photo

China's Jiangsu Suning and Japan's Nippon TV Beleza shared the tournament's first ever points as the two sides played out a 1-1 draw in the opening game of the first AFC Women's Club Championship, kicked off at Yongin Citizens Sports Park in Yongin, South Korea, on Tuesday.

The first edition of the continental club tournament witnessed four teams competing for the coveted title. After the Chinese club came out all guns blazing, their impressive Malawian striker Tabitha Chawinga wrote her name into the history books with the tournament's first goal in the seventh minute.

However, Beleza leveled just three minutes later through a Mika Tanaka strike as she benefited from a fine run and pass by Rikako Kobayashi, before stepping inside and rifling the ball in the bottom corner of Jiangsu goal-keeper Peng Shimeng's goal.

The Chinese side stepped up their attack after conceding the goal but failed to break the deadlock against a dogged Japanese side. When the final whistle was blown, the final score-line remained at 1-1. The result kept both sides in title contention with two more matches to be played in the competition. Meanwhile, the other game of the opening day saw home side Incheon Hyundai Steel Red Angels crushing Melbourne Victory 4-0 to make a winning start to their campaign at home. Four clubs from four countries - Australia, China, Japan and South Korea - are taking part in the first edition of the tournament which is being held from November 26 to 30.

While 2019 Chinese Women's Super League winners Jiangsu Suning are representing China, W-League champions Melbourne Victory are representing Australia. 2018 Nadeshiko League Division 1 winners Nippon TV Beleza from Japan and Red Angels from hosts South Korea are the other teams in the tournament.

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