Wednesday, March 18, 2009

Central Coast Mariners draw with Tianjin Teda

Tianjin Teda of China and Central Coast Mariners drew 2-2 in their AFC Champions League match in Tianjin, China, this evening.

A header from Tianjin's Brazilian, Eber Luis, in the 36th minute, following a corner, gave the Chinese side the lead.

Brad Porter was guarding the post, but was unable to clear the ball.

Substitute Adrian Caceras equalised two minutes after the break with just his second touch of the ball, but he did not know much about it.

Tianjin cleared a cross, but the ball fell to Shane Huke, whose powerful low shot appeared to be covered by the Chinese goalkeeper until Caceras deflected it with his left foot, the ball squirming out of the keeper's hands and over the line.

Matt Simon then put Central Coast Mariners into the lead, but a header by Wu Weian, following a corner, made it 2-2.

The Mariners had more of the possession (53 per cent), but Tianjin more of the shots.

The draw left Tianjin at the bottom of Group H, while the Mariners are second in the four-team group.

The top two sides progress to the next round.

Kawasaki Frontale of Japan lead the group after their 1-1 draw with Pohang Steelers earlier in the evening.

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