Shanghai into last 16, Guangzhou still alive

Debutants Shanghai SIPG booked a place of round 16 in the AFC Champions League as they secured the first place in group G after beating Melbourne Victory 3-1 on Tuesday.

Shanghai took the lead eight minutes before the halftime break through Yu Hai before Brazilian striker Elkeson doubled their lead soon. Dario Conca made it three from the spot in the second half and Melbourne substitute Jesse Makarounas scored a consolation goal 10 minutes before the final whistle.

In the 37th minute, Elkeson's deep free-kick to the back post was headed goalwards by Wu Lei, allowing Yu Hai to bundle the ball over the line from close in.

Shanghai doubled their advantage two minutes later as Elkeson pocketed his fourth goal of the tournament when he got on the end of Wu Lei's low cross to find the back of the net inside the box.

The home side secured their victory in the 66th minute when Scott Galloway handled as Wu Lei tried to cut back inside him on the left corner of the penalty area before Conca sent keeper Lawrence Kingsley wrong way.

Melbourne scored in the 81st minute when Makarounas coolly slotted home substitute Jason Geria's cut-back from 15 yards, but Shanghai were not to be denied their maiden place in the Round of 16.

In Group H, Ricardo Goulart and Gao Lin gifted defending champions Guangzhou Evergrande first ACL win this season and kept a slim hope alive to reach the round of 16 with a 2-0 win at South Korea's Pohang Steelers.

In the 33rd minute, Gao Lin sent a perfect cross towards the far post where Goulart fired the ball into the roof of the net.

Only 68 seconds into the second half, Gao Lin rolled past goalkeeper Kim Jin-young.

With three points added, the defending champions moved to third place in their group. But the only path for Guangzhou to go through the group stage is that they win their last match against Sydney FC and Urawa Red Diamonds lose their final two games. Enditem