China
2024.11.29 13:56 GMT+8

Zhejiang recover to beat Lion City in AFC Champions League Two

Updated 2024.11.29 13:56 GMT+8
Sports Scene

Jean Kouassi (R) of Zhejiang controls the ball in the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Champions League Two game against Lion City Sailors in Hangzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province, November 28, 2024. /CMG

Zhejiang of the Chinese Super League (CSL) overcame a two-goal deficit to beat the Lion City Sailors of the Singapore Premier League 4-2 in the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Champions League Two in Hangzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province, on Thursday.

Zhejiang missed the chance to score first in the 30th minute when Jean Kouassi's failed shot landed at his teammate Gao Di's feet in the box. Unmarked Gao took a powerful shot, but it hit the cross bar instead of flying into the goal.

Having dodged a bullet, Lion City netted first during first half stoppage time. Toni Datkovic tackled a free kick pass into Zhejiang's goal for his side to lead 1-0. They doubled their lead 17 minutes into the second half when Song Ui-Young struck a long shot into the top right corner of Zhao Bo's goal.

Zhejiang cut their deficit to one goal three minutes later after Franko Andrijasevic converted a penalty kick. The team soon put the game back to 50-50 in the 69th minute thanks to a header by Sun Zhenghao from close range.

Scoring two goals within five minutes boosted the home team's confidence and they attacked even better. In the 86th minute, Wang Yudong found Kouassi in the area with a smart pass. This time, Kouassi capitalized on the opportunity and scored making it 3-2 Zhejiang.

Then in the fourth minute of stoppage time, Li Tixiang set up a solo run for Wang with an accurate through pass and Wang delivered the ball into the bottom left corner of the goal with a push, sealing the 4-2 win for the CSL club.

Zhejiang are third in Group F with six points that come from two wins and three losses, behind Lion City and Port of Thai League 1, with one more game to go. The top-two teams of the group will make the knockout stage.

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