FC Seoul falls short of AFC Champions League title vs. Guangzhou

The reigning South Korean football champ FC Seoul fell short of the continental club title against Guangzhou Evergrande of China here on Saturday.

In the second leg of the AFC Champions League final at Tianhe Stadium, FC Seoul and Guangzhou ended in a 1-1 draw, for the aggregate score of 3-3. Guangzhou emerged the AFC champion thanks to the away goals rule, which gives more weight to goals scored in road matches if the aggregate score is tied.

The two clubs drew 2-2 in the first leg at Seoul World Cup Stadium on Oct. 26.

Guangzhou became the first Asian club champ from China in 23 years. FC Seoul was the fifth consecutive club from South Korea's K League Classic to reach the AFC Champions League final, but fell a goal shy of becoming the fourth South Korean champion in the past five years.

Elkeson had the lone goal for Guangzhou in the 58th minute, converting a breakaway chance set up by Muriqui. The Brazilian sprinted past defender Adilson dos Santos for his sixth goal in as many AFC matches.

Just when the momentum appeared to have shifted in favor of Guangzhou, Dejan Damjanovic leveled the score four minutes later.

The Montenegrin striker penetrated deep into the crowded Guangzhou zone before taking a short pass from Sergio Escudero and striking it past goalkeeper Zeng Cheng.

Needing one more goal for the title, FC Seoul kept the pressure on the home club, but their efforts ultimately bore no fruit.

Substitute Yun Il-lok had the best late chance for FC Seoul, but his shot in the 83rd minute hit the side netting.

FC Seoul failed to mount much attack in the opening half. For Guangzhou, Dario Conca grazed the right post twice, in the 15th and 20th minute.

Elkeson also threatened to score in the first half, testing goalkeeper Kim Yong-dae with a midrange strike in the 23rd, and then with a header 16 minutes later.

FC Seoul showed more life to start the second half, but it was Guangzhou's Muriqui who went on the prowl in the 49th and forced Kim to make a desperate diving save from point-blank range.

FC Seoul's Ha Dae-sung tried to float it over the head of Zeng, but his chip shot rang off the crossbar in the 53rd.

Elkeson's goal five minutes later breathed more life into the taut contest, as Guangzhou emerged as the new Asian champion. (Yonhap News)