Shanghai 4-1 SAFFC: Late salvo shoots down Warriors

AFC Champions League 2009

SHANGHAI – Argentine striker Hernan Barcos netted a brace as Shanghai Shenhua scored three goals in the final 17 minutes to overcome 10-man Singapore Armed Forces in their Group G opener on Wednesday.

The Warriors faced an uphill battle after Hafiz Osman was sent off in the first half but found themselves on level terms when John Wilkinson cancelled out Barcos’ opening penalty with a 62nd minute equaliser.

But the hosts took full advantage of the extra man in the closing minutes with Yu Tao and Yin Xifu scoring before Barcos netted his second in stoppage-time.

Shenhua dominated the opening half at Hongkou Stadium, pegging back the visitors for long periods and leaving Ahmad Latiff Khamarudin an isolated figure up front.

They created their first effort early on with Barcos meeting Mao Jianqing’s cross from the right with a header that flew wide.

The Argentine caused all sort of problems for the visitors and earned his side a penalty in the 25th minute when he went around goalkeeper Shahril Jantan only to see his shot blocked by the arm of Hafiz.

The SAF defender received his marching orders from Australian referee Matthew Breeze and Barcos kept his cool to beat Shahril from the spot.

Mao went close to a second when he met Chen Tao’s corner with a glancing header that was kept out by Shahril.

The SAF keeper then made a fine reflex save to keep out a header deflected towards his own goal by defender Daniel Bennett.

SAF's best chance of the half arrived just before the break when Therdsak Chaiman’s long-range effort was kept out by goalkeeper Zhang Chen, who reacted quickly to gather the ball before the Thai could snap up the rebound.

Shenhua maintained control in the second half and Australia international Mark Miligan nearly made it 2-0 with a shot from the edge of the box that was brilliantly tipped aside by Shahril.

But the visitors equalised just after the hour when Wilkinson took advantage of slack Shenhua defending to latch on to a long ball by Shaiful Esah before beating goalkeeper Zhang Chen in a one-on-one confrontation.

However, the goal sparked the home side to life and playmaker Yu Tao restored their lead just 10 minutes later, tucking away a rebound after Miligan’s long-range effort had hit the left upright.

Substitute Yin Xifu extended their lead in the 84th minute, firing a long-range effort past Shahril.

Barcos added further gloss to the scoreline in stoppage-time, out-jumping the SAF defence to head in Yin’s corner from the right.