Jeonbuk beats Tianjin 3-0 to reach quarterfinals

By Yoon Chul

Jeonbuk Motors joined the last eight in the AFC Champions League beating Chinese side Tianjin Teda 3-0, Tuesday.

At the Jeonju World Cup Stadium, Motors midfielder Enio Oliveira Junior netted twice and Lee Sung-hyun, who received a call-up from national team manager Cho Kwang-rae for two friendlies, aided for the win.

Tianjin, the lone Chinese team left in the competition, saw their dreams of advancing to the next round against the current K-League leader dashed.

With this victory the Motors continued their push to be crowned champion for the first time in five years.

The home side pushed forward from the kick off. Tianjin goalkeeper Zhao Yanming’s goal was under siege and the visitors finally surrendered to an excellent individual effort by Junior in the 32nd minute.

The Brazilian dribbled to the right edge of the penalty area and looked to have no angle to shoot but found the net by the far post for a 1-0 lead.

Junior was also involved in the second goal. The outstretched Zhao denied the Brazilian but could only deflect the ball to Lee who tapped in the 43rd.

Just six minutes before the final whistle Junior struck again after finding himself one-on-one with the keeper.

Tianjin, which made the round-of 16 as the runner-up in Group E ahead of last season’s K-League runner-up Jeju United and Melbourne Victory of Australia, sorely missed their two key imports, defender Marko Zoric and forward Luciano Olguin due to

suspension.