Two teams representing East Asia are vying for Asian domination. FC Seoul (Korea Republic) and Guangzhou Evergrande (China) are now playing in the final of the AFC Champions League.
While a club from Korea Republic reached the final for the fifth successive season, this is the first final for a Chinese side. In the first home-and-away final in five seasons, the first leg was played in Seoul World Cup Stadium on the 26th October. Despite being held on a weekday evening, over 55,000 fans came to watch this big match.
The two teams have progressed to the final, flexing their attacking muscles with three foreign players on the front line. Both showed their strengths in this game as well, producing thrilling displays from early on.
It was Seoul who opened the scoring on 11 minutes. After a quick free-kick, Sergio Escudero found the net with a right-foot finish.
However, Guangzhou fought back immediately. Half an hour into the game, Elkeson headed in an equaliser from a left-wing corner. The Brazilian forward has been excellent since being registered for the competition before the quarter-finals, scoring five goals in as many games.
With the score 1-1 on 58 minutes, the stadium roared with screams of agony and joy altogether. China international forward Gao Lin found the target to turn the game for the away side.
Falling a goal behind, Seoul picked out Dejan Damjanovic up front. It was not until seven minutes from time that the Montenegro international forward, who had scored five times in 11 games before the match, showed his quality. He collected a pass from Escudero and snatched an equaliser with a shot from inside the area.
Eventually, the game ended in a 2-2 draw. After Guangzhou earned a draw away from home with valuable away goals, coach Marcello Lippi said “I am satisfied with the team’s performance.” The renowned Italian coach then added “Away goals could be an important factor, but we still have the second leg to play,” while already focusing on the return match at home.
In this tournament, Guangzhou have been boasting impressive form at home. From the group stage up to the semi-finals, they remained unbeaten at home with five wins and a draw without even conceding a goal.
Guangzhou have many Chinese international players who played in the EAFF East Asian Cup 2013 as well as quality foreign players. Having already secured their third successive domestic league title, they can now focus only on the tournament, which could be an additional advantage for them.
Seoul also have an encouraging record; In this tournament, they have never been beaten by a side from the Chinese Super League. Seoul won twice against Jiangsu Sainty in the group stage before consigning Beijing Guoan to a last 16 exit with a win and a draw. “We haven’t been defeated by a Chinese club. I hope we will earn a win again at the next away match,” said coach Choi Yong-Soo.
Like Guangzhou, Seoul have many Korea Republic international players in their squad. Ha Dae-Sung and Go Yohan played in the EAFF East Asian Cup 2013. Yun Illok, a 21-year-old attacker who scored against Japan in that tournament, is closely watched by Korea Republic coach Hong Myung-Bo. Veteran player Cha Du-Ri will be available for the away match after missing the first leg through suspension.
The battle where both sides vie for the first AFC Champions League title is arguably an opportunity to demonstrate the level of the EAFF to both inside and outside of the region. The much-hyped second leg will be played on the 9th November.
