SAFFC 1-1 Shanghai Shenhua: Barcos breaks Warriors’ hearts

A stoppage-time strike from Shanghai Shenhua's Argentine forward Hernan Barcos denied Singapore Armed Forces an historic first ACL win. (AFP)

SINGAPORE – Argentine striker Hernan Barcos spared the blushes of Shanghai Shenhua as his stoppage-time equaliser rescued a 1-1 draw for the Chinese side against Singapore Armed Forces on Tuesday.

The visitors dominated proceedings in the Group G clash at the Jalan Besar Stadium but fell behind against the run of play to sweetly-struck Ahmad Latiff volley in the 29th minute.

Chen Tao had an effort incorrectly ruled out for offside early in the second-half and SAF goalkeeper Shahril Jantan made a series of excellent saves to keep the hosts ahead.

But the Warriors’ resistance was finally broken in the dying minutes when Barcos turned defender Hafiz Osman before firing an unstoppable effort past Shahril.

The dropped points could prove costly for Shenhua’s hopes of reaching the last 16 as they trail two points behind second-placed Suwon Bluewings with only one game remaining.

Shenhua took control of proceedings from the opening whistle but could find no way past Shahril who made a superb diving save to stop Belarussian winger Viachaslav Hleb after 14 minutes.

SAF failed to manage to get a point in their first four games but took a shock lead with a beauty by Latiff just before the half-hour.

A throw-in was flicked on by Aleksandar Duric into the path of Park Tae-won, whose path to goal was blocked off by Yao Lijun.

But the defender’s tackle fell straight to an unmarked Lariff, who gave Qiu Shengjiong no chance with his drive from just outside the box.

Shahril was called into action again in the 34th minute when Chen worked the ball to his right to Hleb, whose shot from a narrow angle was stopped by the SAF goalkeeper at his near post.

Five minutes into the second-half, Barcos' shot was tipped by Shahril against the crossbar.

Chen followed up and put a diving header into the unguarded net only to see his effort incorrectly ruled out for offside.

Shenhua continued to apply the pressure and Mark Milligan found himself clear on the right of the SAF box only to see his shot blocked by Shahril before hitting the base of the right post.

But as the game entered stoppage time, the Chinese side finally got back on level terms when Barcos brought down a high ball on the left of goal and turned Hafiz before firing into the roof of the net.