Four-star Goulart lifts Evergrande over Jeju United
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E-mail China.org.cn, March 7, 2018
Ricardo Goulart scored four second-half goals as Guangzhou Evergrande staged an incredible come-from-behind 5-3 victory over Jeju United at Tianhe Stadium on Tuesday to move top of Group G in the AFC Champions League.
Guangzhou started the brighter but it was the visitors who took the lead on 20 minutes when defender Jung Da-hwon’s cross-cum-shot was parried upwards by goalkeeper Zeng Cheng, allowing Jin Seong-uk an easy header into the back of the net.
Things went from bad to worse for the hosts shortly before the half hour after the Guangzhou defence failed to clear a Lee Chang-min free-kick from the left and the ball eventually fell to Brazilian Magno Cruz, who made no mistake in rifling past Zeng from 10 yards.
Guangzhou were desperately unlucky not to pull one back seven minutes before the interval when Yu Hanchao’s powerful left-foot effort struck the crossbar, bounced up off the line and onto the bar again as Jeju somehow survived.
Zhang Chenglin hit the woodwork from close in shortly before the break, but there was still time for Guangzhou to finally get on the scoresheet as Alan tucked the ball home from six yards just seconds before the whistle.
The hosts came out full of purpose after the restart and drew level in the 52nd minute when Goulart finished after Yu had been denied by goalkeeper Lee Chang-guen.
Jeju almost went straight back in front, though, as Ryu Seing-woo burst forward and rocketed a stunning left-foot strike off the crossbar as the woodwork took yet another rattling.
The game took another twist four minutes before the hour when Gao Lin was upended in the box by Cho Yong-hyung and, after the referee had pointed to the spot, Goulart confidently dispatched the ensuing penalty.
With Jeju pushing for the equaliser, Guangzhou took advantage of the space as Gao burst through the centre and slipped in Goulart, who took two touches before finishing across Lee Chang-guen.
Goulart chipped in a beautiful fifth in added time after being played through by Nemanja Gudelj, before Lee Chang-min fired home a consolation from 20 yards just seconds later to complete a memorable game.
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