Pohang beats Kashima to reach ACL quarterfinals

Reigning champion Pohang Steelers advanced to the Asian Champions League quarterfinals with a 1-0 win over Kashima Antlers on Wednesday.

By (AP)

Published: Wed 12 May 2010, 6:44 PM

Last updated: Mon 6 Apr 2015, 4:23 AM

The Steelers were the third South Korean team into the quarterfinals, and disposed of the last Japanese team in contention.

Brazilian striker Mota’s deflected right-foot shot in the 29^th minute was enough for Pohang to end Kashima’s perfect run in the 2010 tournament — the J-League champions had topped their first-round group after six consecutive wins.

‘It’s a very tough loss,’ Kashima coach Oswaldo de Oliveira said. ‘We have a team that has a reputation for being able to achieve its goals but couldn’t do that, so it’s disappointing for us.’

In the remaining second-round matches Wednesday, Adelaide hosted Jeonbuk Motors, Iranian club Zohahan was against Mes Kerman at Esfahan and Al Hilal is at home to Uzbek giant Bunydkor.

Two South Korean teams advanced from Tuesday’s second-round matches, with Seongnam Ilhwa ousting 2008 champion Gamba Osaka 3-0 and Suwon Bluewings holding off Beijing Guoan 2-0.

Progressing from the west division were Qatar’s Al Gharafa and Saudi club Al Shabab.

Gharafa beat Uzbekistan’s Pakhtakor 1-0 with a penalty six minutes from time, while Waleed Al Gizani scored a last-minute winner in Shabab’s 3-2 win over Iran’s Esteghlal.