AFC Champions League Matchday 1

Current A-League wooden spoon incumbents, Adelaide United, began their third Champions league campaign in fashion after an unusual goal from young star Matthew Leckie sealed the victory over the reigning champions Pohang Steelers.

The victory was a refreshing return to form for the Reds after a shocking 2009/10 campaign which saw them finish the season last-placed.

The teenager carried the ball the length of the pitch before a fortuitous break saw the ball end up in the back of the Steelers’ net as the 2008 finalists got the better of the 2009 champions in front of a crowd of 8374 at Hindmarsh Stadium.

Pohang opened the better of the two sides and almost took the lead inside five minutes when Michael Marrone failed to clear the dangerous No Byung-jun’s cross but Alexandro fired wide from close range. Mota went close just after the quarter-hour mark as his free kick flew narrowly past the post, although Reds keeper Eugene Galekovic appeared to have it covered.

As the fourth official indicated a minute of time was to be added on, United broke the deadlock with a lethal counter attack.From a Steelers’ corner, Leckie won the ball just outside his own box. The youngster carried it the length of the pitch and beat three men before creating confusion in the box between Shin and Park Hee-chul, who kicked ball against Leckie’s foot as he attempted to clear and watched it roll through the Pohang keeper’s legs. The goal on the stroke of half-time stunned the visitors and United began the second period with the same attacking intent.

Meanwhile, a second-half strike from former Newcastle Jets striker Joel Griffiths gave Beijing Guoan a winning start as the Chinese champions edged Melbourne Victory 1-0 at Beijing Workers’ Stadium on Tuesday.

The hosts were a constant threat throughout the clash but wasted a number of opportunities to defeat Victory by a bigger margin.

Merrick chose to keep the faith with the players that had beaten Sydney FC 2-1 in the first-leg of their A-League major semi-final last week but they struggled to break down the Beijing defence.

“Beijing played good football today and they deserved the victory,” he said. “Our attacks were not very effective while Joel Griffiths proved the difference.”

In the end, Griffiths’ goal six minutes into the second half was enough to secure all three points for Beijing which puts them second in Group E, behind Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma after the South Koreans beat Kawasaki Frontale of Japan 2-0.

Elsewhere, J. League champions Kashima Antlers also got their League campaign off to a winning start as they edged out Chinese side Changchun Yatai 1-0 in their opening Group F match on Tuesday at Kashima Soccer Stadium. Former Japan international Koji Nakata scored the game’s only goal in the 42nd minute for the hosts.

In Group G, a frustrated Gamba Osaka had to settle for a draw against Korean powerhouse Suwon Bluewings after a goal-less first-half. Whilst in Group B, goals from Rivaldo, Jasur Hasanov and Denilson secured Bunyodkor’s victory over Al Ittihad.