Tianjin Quanjian oust Guangzhou Evergrande to move to quarter-finals

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02:41

Two-time AFC Champions League winners, Guangzhou Evergrande suffered a surprising defeat at the hands of tournament debutants Tianjin Quanjian, who oust CSL champs to move to quarter-finals on away goals.

Fabio Cannavaro's men were held to a nil-nil draw in the first leg against his old squad. The Italian left Tianjin in November to move to southern China again, and was hoping to move on in this continental tournament.

The hosts were on the attack early, Alan took a shot from the left side of the box, is parried away by Tianjin goalkeeper Zhang Lu, but it went right to Ricardo Goulart, who knocked it home.

Quanjian leveled almost immediately, Axel Witsel's cross was headed home from close range by Pato who soared above his defender. Tianjin went ahead on away goals.

Alexandre Pato of Tianjin Quanjian scores his team's first goal. /VCG Photo

Goulart restored the lead three minutes after the restart when he converted a header from Li Xuepeng's corner.

But Cannavaro's men once again failed to hold onto their advantage, as Wang Yongpo redirected a Pato free kick, before Wang Jie made it 2-2 in the 52nd minute. Tianjin Quanjian secured a 2-2 draw in their maiden AFC Champions League adventure, as they advance to the quarter-final stage on away goals.

"First of all, as the head coach, I regret that we failed to advance because the Asian Champions League is one of the major targets for the club. Cannavaro said, “This is a big lesson for all of us, or we can say it is an alert for us. If we want to continue to be a squad that wins games, we need to work harder and put more energy into our football."

"I need to congratulate again all my players for their great achievement they made. Something we were convinced like yesterday,” Tianjin Quanjian coach Paulo Sousa said. “All my words to you, during these days and to my players is to make them realize, make them believe it's possible to beat one of the best teams in Asia, if not the best one.”