AFP, SINGAPORE
South Korean powerhouse Suwon Bluewings booked their spot in the AFC Champions League knockout rounds on Tuesday as Kawasaki Frontale set up an all-Japanese last 16 clash with Gamba Osaka.
Suwon overcame stubborn resistance from minnows Singapore Armed Forces to win 3-1 thanks to first-half goals from Bae Gi-jong and Lee Sang-ho and a last minute penalty by Seo Dong-hyeon.
PHOTO: EPA
Their victory snuffed out any hope that Shanghai Shenhua had of staying in Asia’s top club competition, with the Chinese outfit playing for pride only against Japan’s Kashima Antlers.
That match ended 1-1 with Marquinhos’ 31st minute goal for Kashima cancelling out Mark Milligan’s ninth minute opener.
The draw means Kashima top Group G and face a round of 16 clash with either FC Seoul or China’s Shandong Luneng who were due to meet yesterday to decide which one finished second in Group F behind Gamba.
A 2-0 away win for Pohang Steelers over Kawasaki ensured the South Korean side avoided in-form Gamba in the knockout rounds, with the J-Leaguers instead forced to play their compatriots on June 24 for a place in the quarter-finals.
Noh Byung-joon opened the scoring for Pohang in the 11th minute and striker Denilson put the match beyond doubt with a clinical strike 18 minutes from time.
It earned the Koreans a crack at a quarter-final berth against either Australia’s Newcastle Jets or fellow Koreans Ulsan Hyundai, who were to play yesterday.
In another match in that group, Tianjin Teda ended China’s away drought with a smash-and-grab 1-0 win over Australia’s Central Coast Mariners.
Lone striker Biao Mao broke the deadlock in the 65th minute, latching on to a defense-splitting pass from Leilei Ma to slot home past goalkeeper Danny Vukovic’s near post.
It was the first away win by a Chinese team in 11 games of this year’s competition.
Uzbek champions Bunyodkor, last year’s semi-finalists, drew 0-0 with Al Shabab Al Arabi of the UAE, the point being enough to secure them second place in Group D and the final west zone spot in the knockout stage.
Ettifaq lost 3-0 at Sepahan but the defeat won’t worry them as they had already secured top spot in the group and face a round of 16 matchup with the Group A runners-up, either fellow Saudi side Al Hilal or Pakhtakor.
Like Japan, Saudi Arabia has all four of its clubs through, along with Piroozi (Iran), Pakhtakor (Uzbekistan) and Umm Salal (Qatar).
Saudi champions Al Ittihad bounced back from Friday’s 4-0 defeat to Al Shabab in the King’s Cup final with a 7-0 demolition of Qatar’s Umm Salal in Jeddah to take first place in Group C.
Naif Hazaizi grabbed a hat-trick and Brazilian Renato a double to ensure the two time champions a home match in the last 16 against the runners-up of Group B.
As Group C runners-up Umm Salal visit the winners of Group A.
In the other group game, UAE’s Al Jazira drew 2-2 with Iran’s Esteghal.
US track and field athletes have about four dozen pieces to choose from when assembling their uniforms at the Olympics. The one grabbing the most attention is a high-cut leotard that barely covers the bikini line and has triggered debate between those who think it is sexist and others who say they do not need the Internet to make sure they have good uniforms. Among those critical or laughing at the uniforms included Paralympian Femita Ayanbeku, sprinter Britton Wilson and even athletes from other countries such as Britain’s Abigail Irozuru, who wrote on social media: “Was ANY female athlete consulted in
Four-time NBA all-star DeMarcus Cousins arrived in Taiwan with his family early yesterday to finish his renewed contract with the Taiwan Beer Leopards in the T1 League. Cousins initially played a four-game contract with the Leopards in January. On March 18, the Taoyuan-based team announced that Cousins had renewed his contract. “Hi what’s up Leopard fans, I’m back. I’m excited to be back and can’t wait to join the team,” Cousins said in a video posted on the Leopard’s Facebook page. “Most of all, can’t wait to see you guys, the fans, next weekend. So make sure you come out and support the Beer
Former US Masters champion Zach Johnson was left embarrassed after a foul-mouthed response to ironic cheers from spectators after a triple bogey at Augusta National on Friday. Johnson, the 2007 Masters winner, missed the cut after his three-over-par round of 75 left him on seven-over 151 for 36 holes, his six on the par-three 12th playing a big role in his downfall. Television footage showed Johnson reacting to sarcastic cheers and applause when he tapped in for the triple bogey by yelling: “Oh fuck off.” Such a response would be considered bad form in any golf tournament, but is particularly out of keeping
The sacred flame for the Paris Olympics was lit yesterday in Olympia, Greece, the birthplace of the ancient Games, in a ceremony inspired by antiquity and marked by messages of hope amid multiple global crises. “In ancient times, the Olympic Games brought together the Greek city states, even — and in particular — during times of war and conflict,” International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach said. “Today, the Olympic Games are the only event that brings the entire world together in peaceful competition. Then as now, the Olympic athletes are sending this powerful message — yes, it is possible to compete fiercely