Shanghai Shenhua edge Kawasaki Frontale in AFC Champions League Elite

Shanghai Shenhua defeated Kawasaki Fontale 1-0 in the first-leg of their Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Champions League Elite round of 16 tie at home in east China's Shanghai Municipality on Wednesday.

The visitors scored first in the 33rd minute when goalkeeper Bao Yaxiong's pass was intercepted not far from Shanghai's box. Ibrahim Amadou tried to deflect So Kawahara's pass, but sent the ball to Yasuto Wakizaka who netted an open goal.

However, the referee ruled it offside after checking with the video assistant referee (VAR). The hosts dodged a bullet.

Amadou had the chance to make up for his mistake when he was open at the center of the box for a shot in the 60th minute. Nonetheless, his attempt went over the cross bar. He sprained his ankle 12 minutes later and had to be stretched off the field.

Shanghai scored the winner in the 76th minute when Wilson Manafa's volley was deflected into Kawasaki's goal by defender Kota Takai.

The home side had a chance to double their advantage in the 89th minute when Chen Jinyi delivered an accurate cross to the front of the goal, but Saulo Mineiro missed it.

The second-leg game will happen in Kanagawa, Japan, on March 12.

Other games on the night (winners come first):

Pakhtakor Tashkent 1-0 Al-Hilal

Al-Ahli 3-1 Al-Rayyan

Vissel Kobe 2-0 Gwangju