Match ended 3-0 to Bayern. Not a bad performance from Evergrande but there were a lot of shaky moments. There's still the third-place match for Evergrande to play which I'm confident they'll win.
First goal was perfectly stoppable. Zeng Cheng. Second goal 2 minutes later was a lapse of attention from the after shock of the first goal. Third goal on a counter after a miss of a Muriqui one on one. Could've could've could've.
Also could've been more had Bayern not hit the woodwork 4 times... Scoreline was respectable but the game itself was poor. Bus was parked well enough for all but the 10 minute span where they got 3 goals, but that Bayern defense was too solid. Neuer sweeping out 2 or 3 1 on 1 chances from Muriqui was tough to swallow too... not sure you'll find many goalkeepers around who will read the game like that. Wished we could have gotten more chances on goal, since the front 3 certainly had the talent for that. Muriqui spurned a few decent chances, and Rong Hao at the end should have done much better too. Should be able to clinch 3rd with ease unless Raja Casablanca pull another upset.
Bayern's second goal was the killer for Evergrande, which was why I was really annoyed that they conceded such a sloppy goal especially with half-time so close. If we went 1-0 at the break then maybe we could of regrouped and you never know? It was always going to be a miracle for them to win but I thought Evergrande could have tested Neuer more, maybe if they were only 1-0 down then the confidence would of still been there to try it. Ow well Bayern were certainly the better team and Evergrande put in a respectable showing, especially considering after I read in the Bayern forum some douche was calling for a double digit thrashing. Anyway there's still the 3rd place game still to look forward to.
Hey leave that for the Bayern Forum posters. We here look at the glass as half not empty. It looked very one-sided after the three goals in the 40's-th minutes. But if Zeng Cheng had stopped that perfectly stoppable shot the scoreline might very well have been 0-0 at the half. And then if Muriqui scored the goal which was a two-goal actually because the counter led to the third goal, it would have become 1-0 China's lead, and Lippi's, and our, 1% dream might very well have stayed alive.
Guangzhou Evergrande will play Atletico Mineiro in the third-place match after Raja Casablanca beat them 3-1.
Guangzhou Evergrande's starting xi: Li Shuai Zhang Linpeng - Feng Xiaoting - Kim Young-Gwon - Sun Xiang Huang Bowen - Zheng Zhi Muriqui - Dario Conca - Gao Lin Elkeson Third-place match against Atletico Mineiro starts in less than 30 minutes. Zeng Cheng has been allowed to return home because his wife gave birth to his daughter a few days ago.
Muriquiiiiiiiii 1-1 Elkeson slams it off the crossbar, probably went in already, but Muriqui hits the rebound after Gao Lin crosses it back acrobaticallyi.
Penalty for Evergrande, won by Gao Lin after Lucas grabs his neck during a header, amazing ball by Zheng Zhi to put him through. 2-1 Conca 15'
Guangzhou Evergrande has been the better of the sides so far. Nice attacking interplay up front and midfield is playing really real.
Tardelli burned either Sun Xiang or Kim though. That counter is going to be so dangerous. Hopefully Evergrande get at least one more insurance goal. Hopefully they push it right now because AM's defense are in shambles.
Sun Xiang with a silly challenge.... two footed from behind. Could have easily gotten red there. Luckily just a yellow. AM's defender Lucas is off injured.