Off the wire
• Israel to free 6 Egyptian prisoners after Tarabin's release  • Space race worth 18 bln USD to British economy: minister  • Police seize 19.5 kg heroin in NW China  • Urgent: Russian warship averts collision with Turkish fishing boat in Aegean Sea  • Spotlight: China makes active contribution for breakthrough at Paris climate talks  • Park wins Hyundai China Ladies Open crown in seesaw battle  • Hyundai China Ladies Open third round leading scores  • 2nd LD Writethru: Death toll of NW Pakistan market blast rises to 17  • India adopts zero tolerance policy towards terror: home minister  • Chinese twins win women's doubles of Dubai World Superseries 2015  
You are here: 　 Home

(Sports Focus) Guangzhou Evergrande edges past Club America to face Barca

Xinhua, December 13, 2015 Adjust font size:

Thanks to Brazilian striker Paulinho's last minute goal, Asian champions Guangzhou Evergrande from China rallied to beat Club America from Mexico 2-1 here on Sunday and set up the semi clash with European champions Barcelona in FIFA Club World Cup.

   The five-time Chinese Super League champions fell behind in the 55th minute as Club America's Oribe Peralta headed home. But Evergrande coach Luiz Philipe Scolari made three crucial substitutions, Zheng Long, Gao Lin and Yu Hanchao to change the course of the game.

   Zheng got the equalizer in the 80th minute on Gao Lin's smart touch in the middle of the box. Paulinho's header off Yu's corner-kick beat keeper Moises Munoz in the last minute of injury time.

   "I have done this two or three times, I did this before in national team as well," the 27-year old Brazilian said.

   "This is football, even in the last minute you should try to score. Today it is one more time the goal came in the last minute," he added.

   The tough duel got under way in a quick pace. Evergrande's Brazilian striker Robinho tested Munoz in the 19th minute with a drive from the edge of the box. Two minutes later, Benedetto tested Guangzhou's keeper Li Shuai in a similar way.

   Paolo Goltz curled a free-kick toward the top corner but Li reacted quickly to tipped the ball off the bar.

   After a goalless first half, Club America created a handful of chances in the second half, but Peralta, Benedetto and Quintero's effort were all in vain before keeper Li.

   In the 55th minute, Club America finally found the net. Benedetto penetrated from the right side and crossed into the center. Peralta easily headed home from close range.

   In the 71st minute, Feng Xiaoting missed the best chance to pull level as his goalmouth header went wide.

   It was the two substitutes who made a perfect combination to finally equalize. Paulinho dribbled along the left side and passed the ball to Gao Lin, whose fine touch gave Zheng Long a comfort angle to score.

   The final minute of added time turned the whole match to a drama, Yu Hanchao's corner-kick found Paulinho who made no mistake to head home, sending the players and coaching staff of Guangzhou into ecstasy.

   Guangzhou will play European Champions Barcelona in the semifinal on Dec. 17 in Yokohama.

   "Football is a 90 minute game and we really wanted to make the semi-finals, so I made some high-risk substitutions. On this occasion, they worked - on another night it might not have done," Scolari said.

   "But I know the team and I know what they can do. Club America are a huge team, with a fantastic history but we fought back and won and we should continue to dream big for the next match against Barcelona. Victory is not impossible," he added.  Endi