Wuhan Three Towns' Davidson Pereira celebrates his goal during the 1-1 draw with Japan's Urawa Red Diamonds in the 2023 AFC Champions League in Wuhan, Hubei, Sept. 20, 2023. (Xinhua/Wu Zhizun)
China's Wuhan Three Towns drew with Urawa Red Diamonds in their AFC Champions League debut.
WUHAN, Sept. 21 (Xinhua) -- Reigning Chinese Super League champions Wuhan Three Towns made their AFC Champions League debut with a 2-2 draw against Japan's Urawa Red Diamonds on Wednesday.
Wuhan had come into the game in significant turmoil, with investors announcing a halt to further investment from September 1, and leading striker Marcao missing through injury.
Urawa started the game aggressively, with Kaito Yasui's attempt in the third minute denied by Wuhan goalkeeper Xie Pengfei. Wuhan then took the lead in the 10th minute, when Ghanaian forward Abdul-Aziz Yakubu helped Zhang Xiaobin thump the ball home.
Wei Shihao (R) of Wuhan Three Towns vies with Toshiki Takahashi of Urawa Red Diamonds during the match. (Xinhua/Wu Zhizun)
Urawa later posed a greater threat in the penalty area, but failed to get on the scoresheet before the first half ended.
Ten minutes into the second half, Bryan Linssen headed home to level the score. Wuhan retook the lead in the 62nd minute through a penalty from Brazilian striker Davidson, but Jose Kante equalized at the death for Urawa to make it 2-2.
Wuhan Three Towns' head coach Takahata Tsutomu before the match. (Xinhua/Wu Zhizun)
"It's a home game, and it's a pity that we didn't take this advantage to win the game. But in our maiden match [of the AFC Champions League], facing such a competitive defending champion, I think our players performed well," said Wuhan head coach Takahata Tsutomu.
In other games, Thailand's Buriram United cruised past China's Zhejiang FC 4-1, South Korea's Pohang Steelers defeated Hanoi FC 4-2, while Bangkok United beat Singapore's Lion City Sailors 2-1. ■
