Suwon, Jeonbuk reach 2nd round

The Suwon Samsung Bluewings and the Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors of South Korea’s K-League advanced to the next round at an ongoing continental club competition with victories.

At the Suwon World Cup Stadium, about 45 kilometers south of Seoul, the Bluewings defeated Sydney FC 3-1 in Group H action of the Asian Football Confederation Champions League. Ha Tae-gyun, Mato Neretljak and Yeom Ki-hun each had a goal apiece to secure Suwon’s berth in the round of 16.

The win gave Suwon nine points, on two wins and three draws, atop Group H, with one more group match left. Kashima Antlers of Japan will join Suwon in the round of 16 after beating Shanghai Shenhua 2-0 on Tuesday. Kashima also has nine points, and Suwon and Kashima have a four-point lead over the third-place Sydney, which can’t catch them even with a win in its last game.

Kashima is ranked second behind Suwon in goal difference, the second tiebreaker. Suwon and Kashima have the even record in head-to-head matches, the first tiebreaker.

“We put on our best possible lineup tonight, and it’s really fortunate that we won,” said Suwon head coach Yoon Sung-hyo. “For the time being, we’re going to go all-in on the AFC Champions League (over domestic competitions).” 

(Yonhap News)