Big-spending Chinese teams start Asian campaign with wins
KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (AP) - Big-spending Chinese clubs Shanghai SIPG and Tianjin Quanjian stated their ambitions in the Asian Champions League on Tuesday by kicking off with comfortable wins.
Shanghai, with high-profile Brazilian stars Hulk and Oscar, won 1-0 at Kawasaki Frontale as it attempts to meet favorite status among the 32 teams in the group stage.
Elkeson scored the only goal of the game at the home of the Japanese champion midway through the first half to put Shanghai on top of Group F.
In Group E, Tianjin strolled to a 3-0 victory over Kitchee of Hong Kong in a first appearance in the competition.
All the goals came in the first half with French striker Anthony Modeste opening the scoring. A Kitchee own goal and a third from Sun Ke sealed the win for the ambitious port club.
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Group E:
Jeonbuk Motors 3, Kashiwa Reysol 2
Two goals from veteran striker Lee Dong-gook helped the South Koreans to a dramatic 3-2 win on their return to the tournament. The Japanese visitor had a 2-0 lead at the break but Lee, 39, inspired a second-half comeback.
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Group F:
Melbourne Victory 3, Ulsan Horangi 3
The South Korea team took the lead three times in Australia but the 2012 champion had to settle for a point.