Evergrande held to goalless draw at Tianjin Quanjian

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03:29

After going unbeaten in Group G pool play, two-time AFC Champions League winner Guangzhou Evergrande was held to a scoreless draw against Tianjin Quanjian in the first leg of an all-Chinese club final 16 matchup.

Tianjin finished second in Group E in what is their first foray into Asia's biggest club competition.

Despite the goose eggs on the scoreboard, Guangzhou manager Fabio Cannavaro, who left Quanjian following a great run in the CSL last season, said the chances were there during the match, just not executed.

"We had more chances to score a goal, and better chances to have scored a goal. I was more satisfied with our second half performance, as our attacks were much sharper," Cannavaro said after the match. "We did well on the whole, and I will ask the team to be even more focused when we host the second leg."

Tianjin manager Paulo Sousa was optimistic after facing one of Asia's best clubs. “For me, they are one of the best, if not the best team in Asia. For that I need to congratulate my players for the quality they showed in the game."

Guanzhou will face Tianjin in the second leg next week at home.

Thailand's Buriram United defeats Keonbuk Hyundai 3-2

Buriram United of Thailand beat two-time champions Jeonbuk Motors of South Korea 3-2 in the first leg of the Asian Champions League round of 16 match in Buriram on Tuesday .

The hosts were back in the knock-out stage after a gap of five years, and only a late goal in their final group match clinched a spot for them.

In the sixth minute, both the Thunder Castle, as Buriram Stadium is popularly known, and coach Bozidar Bandovic, were celebrating as Brazilian Edgar Silva scored on a header off the foot of Yoo Jun-soo.

Thailand's Buriram United celebrate the victory. /VCG Photo

Jeonbuk equalized five minutes into the second half. Kim Shin-wook chested a ball down on the edge of the area for Brazilian Ricardo Lopes, who fired it home with a low drive.

Buriram regained the lead on the hour mark from a set-piece play after Diogo was fouled.

The Brazilian striker then produced a piece of magic as he stepped up and curled in a free-kick from about 25 yards out, making the Thunder Castle erupt with joy.

Less than 10 minutes later, the hosts increased their lead to 3-1 when Edgar Silva picked a ball from his own half and beat a host of Jeonbuk markers before scoring with a low shot to produce one of the best goals of the tournament.

Son Jun-Ho then scored in the 91st minute for Jeonbuk to reduce the arrears to 3-2, but it was too little, too late.