Shenhua exits ACL after Antlers home draw

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Shanghai Greenland Shenhua Giovanni Moreno is challenged by Kashima Antlers' Leandro during a AFC Champions League Group H match at Hongkou Football Stadium in Shanghai last night.

A second-half goal and assist from Yuma Suzuki inspired Kashima Antlers to a come-from-behind 2-2 draw with Shanghai Shenhua on Matchday Five of the AFC Champions League on Tuesday.


Played at the Hongkou Football Stadium in Shanghai, the home side started like a side desperate for a win and took an early lead after Tomoya Inukai fouled Obafemi Martins inside the penalty box after just 12 minutes, with captain Giovanni Moreno making no mistake from the resulting spot kick.


Shanghai were dealt a blow when Martins was stretchered off after 22 minutes with a knee injury, but his replacement, Mao Jianqing, made an instant impact when he headed home from Fredy Guarin's corner just before the half hour mark to double the home side's lead.


Yuma Suzuki gave the visitors some hope just before the hour mark when he tapped home into an open net after Leo Silva's shot deflected perfectly into his path.


Suzuki then turned provider five minutes later, with a deft chip to the back post finding Leandro, with the Brazilian thumping the ball into the back of the net to draw the visitors level and earn a valuable point on the road for Kashima.


The 2-2 draw means Kashima Antlers remain top of Group H and secure their spot in the Round of 16 with a game to spare, but the result was a bad one for the home side.


Shanghai Shenhua now sit bottom of Group H with just four points, with their hopes of advancing to the knockout rounds over as they cannot overtake second-placed Suwon Samsung Bluewings, who have seven points but a superior head-to-head record against the Chinese side.


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