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Goulart's hat-trick helps Guangzhou beat Western Sydney Wanderers in AFC Champions League(updated)

Xinhua, March 4, 2015 Adjust font size:

Brazilian forward Goulart Pereira finished his first hat-trick for Guangzhou Evergrande to lead the Chinese team past defending champions Western Sydney Wanderers 3-2 in AFC Champions League Group H here on Wednesday.

The Brazilian international completed his hat-trick in 64 minutes, making La Rocca's 57th minute equalizer and Castelen's injury time header both in vain.

"Today's match was a great spectacle for people but for us disappointing to get beaten," said the home team's assistant coach Ian Crook.

"On the positive side, we've shown again that we're on the right track," he added.

It was a good start for Guangzhou coach Fabio Cannavaro after Marcello Lippi resigned just a week ago.

"A very difficult match but I'm happy with my team because we played good football and I really appreciate the character they showed," Cannavaro said in the post-match press conference.

Goulart smashed the ball into the back of the net to gift the visiting team a comfortable lead in the 19th minute, after Huang Bowen's cross followed Elkeson's header.

The defending champions missed their best chance to equalize in the 43rd minute, when Nikolai Topor-Stanley's header narrowly went off the post.

The home team drew in the 57th minute as La Rocca leapt to reach Rukavytsya's corner to angle a superb header towards the far post and seeing the keeper Zeng Cheng no chance.

Guangzhou hit back only two minutes later as Gao Lin raced down the right flank and drilled the ball into the area for Goulart to beat keeper Covic at his near post.

Five minutes later, Gao dribbled the ball down the left side and crossed to the center of the box, Spiranovic failed to make it clear, only to see Goulart beat keeper Covic to complete his hat-trick.

Spiranovic headed the ball into Guangzhou's net in the 68th minute, but it was cancelled by the referee due to offside.

Guangzhou escaped from conceding a goal but keeper Zeng and center-back Kim Young-gwon made a collision during the defense. Zeng was carried out off the pitch after 15 minutes' treatment.

In the Champions League's longest 17-minute stoppage time, the Wanderers was in complete control and Castelen headed home to narrow the gap in the 96th minute. But it was only too late for the defending champions to pull level.

"Of course Zeng's injury influenced the match, we knew they were going to try their best in the last few minutes, but we were well prepared," said Cannavaro. Endi