Shanghai SIPG go down 2-1 to Melbourne Victory, but finish top of their group

SYDNEY, April 18 (Xinhua) -- Despite a spirited performance, Shanghai SIPG have lost their final Group F match 2-1 to the Melbourne Victory at Australia's AAMI Park Stadium on Wednesday.

With not enough points to progress in the Asian Champions League competition, the Victory opted for a number of young players to start the match and with SIPG coming off a long flight the enthusiasm and energy of the home side proved too much.

The first goal came when the Victory's Pierce Waring put one in the back of the net in the 40th minute, however Lin Chuangyi managed to equalize moments later with a slick header just before half time.

In the 69th minute however, Melbourne's Jai Ingham scored for the home side and although Shanghai's Brazilian superstar striker the 'Hulk' came very close on a number of occasions in the dying minutes, the Victory held on and closed out the match.

Despite the loss, SIPG finish on the top of Group F above South Korea's Ulsan, and will progress to the round of 16. Enditem