The AFC Champions League returns tomorrow for the 2nd legs of the Quarter Finals stage.. The competition is split into Western and Eastern Zones right up until the final. This tie features two of the best sides from the Korean K League Classic and the Chinese Super League, Jeonbuk Hyundai (South Korea) and Shanghai SIPG (China). The Chinese Super League has received a lot of attention in recent years due its big name signings and high transfer fees as well as salaries.
The 1st Leg finished goalless over in China as both sides played cagey and without much attacking intention. Here is our brief preview, head-to-head details and prediction for Jeonbuk Hyundai vs. Shanghai SIPG;
Jeonbuk Hyundai vs. Shanghai SIPG (Tuesday September 13th 2016)
Jeonbuk Hyundai:
Jeonbuk have won the AFC Champions once before 10 years ago, they also reached the final back in 2011. They are currently top of the K League with a 13 point lead. They are champions 2 seasons running now. They are undefeated in the league this season, but lost twice in the Champions League group stages and where knocked out of the Korean FA Cup to 2nd tier Bucheon 1995. There recent form has been solid with 3 wins and 3 draws from their last 6 league games. Including the draw with Shanghai.
Key Player: 37 year old former Middlesbrough forward Lee Dong-Gook maybe at the twilight of his career but got onto the goal sheet at the weekend and maybe a supersub to look out for.
Shanghai SIPG:
The Asian Champions League newcomers Shanghai SIPG have had a strong first season in the competition following their 2nd placed finish at the end of the 2015 Chinese Super League. They are lead by former England and Lazio manager Sven-Goran Eriksson who has seen improvement both on and off the field during his time at the club. They’re currently 4th in the Chinese Super League 14 points off the leaders. They won their champions league group and squeezed past FC Tokyo in the previous round. Their recent form looks defensive with 1 win, 4 draws from their last 5 games. Also they’ve only played once in the weeks since the 1st leg.
Key Player: Brazilian Elkeson bring a wealth of AFC Champions League experience to the attacking line and he’ll be key moving forward. Also; Big money transfer Hulk played for the first time since July at the weekend scoring twice, and could be a real danger.
Head-to-Head:
They’ve never played each other before the 1st leg which as already mentioned ended 0-0.
Prediction:
Jeonbuk Hyundai 2 – 1 Shanghai SIPG
Jeonbuk Hyundai are very strong at home and there almost unbeatable league form will be hard to match. Shanghai SIPG won’t go down without a fight and the game will be close and tight in periods. However we see the overall strength of Jeonbuk shining thought and they’ll progress.
Jeonbuk Hyundai vs. Shanghai SIPG Result & Photos
Jeonbuk Hyundai 5 – 0 Shanghai SIPG
Leonardo x2, Lee Dong-Gook x2 and an own goal all came in the second half as Jeonbuk scored 5 past a Shanghai side that looked shell-shocked and devoid of ideas. Jeonbuk move onto the semi finals where they’ll meet the winners of Shandong Luneng vs. FC Seoul.
Highlights:
Finally
For information on the all of our previous K League Round by Round Previews and More: CLICK HERE
As always if you have anything you’d like to add please let us know. We will try and keep things updated as best as possible via Twitter (and little via Facebook).
Tim
Modern Seoul
tim@modernseoul.org
Modern Seoul 