SIPG boss hails Hulk as 'one of Asia's best'

SHANGHAI－Hulk was hailed by his manager as "one of the best players in Asia" after he buried a late penalty to give Shanghai SIPG a 1-0 victory over Kawasaki Frontale in the AFC Champions League on Wednesday.

In a tight battle between the champions of China and Japan, the burly Brazilian forward was the difference in earning the host all three points in its Group H opener.

Hulk, who barely featured for Kawasaki during a spell with the Japanese club in 2005-08, scored from the spot in the 89th minute after midfielder Hidemasa Morita handled in the box.

The 32-year-old had a night to forget until then, somehow missing from close range and firing wide in the second half following a mazy run into the visitor's box.

"For sure Hulk is one of the best players in Asia," SIPG coach Vitor Pereira said of his captain.

"I am a lucky man to have top players helping my team, but what is important is not only the technical level, but the personality.

"I am a lucky man because I have players－foreign and Chinese－with personality, with good spirit, team spirit, and this is the way to win," added the Portuguese.

Hulk, who arrived at SIPG from Zenit St Petersburg in July 2016 for 56 million euros ($63 million), admitted the Chinese champion－which also has the 60-million-euro Oscar－was under the cosh for long periods.

"I was trying my best to keep going to the end," he said, adding: "For me, I want to help the team more, not just scoring."

In the other match in Group H, Australia's Sydney FC and 2012 champion Ulsan, of South Korea, played out a windswept 0-0 draw, leaving Shanghai in early command.

Vintage Lee

Meanwhile, veteran goal machine Lee Dong-gook rolled back the years as Jeonbuk Motors got its campaign off to a winning start with a 3-1 home victory over Beijing Guo'an.

The 39-year-old scored the Korean side's second goal and set up the third in a vintage display at the Jeonju World Cup Stadium.

The 2006 and 2016 Asian champion went ahead in the 14th minute when Han Kyo-won took advantage of sloppy defending by Beijing's new signing from Jeonbuk, Kim Min-jae, to open the scoring.

Beijing equalized four minutes before halftime via Zhang Xizhe's smart finish.

Jeonbuk reclaimed the lead three minutes after halftime when Lee pounced to extend his record as the competition's all-time leading scorer to 37 goals.

He turned provider in the 71st minute, deftly crossing for Kim Shin-wook to powerfully head home to seal victory.

In the other Group G clash, Urawa Red Diamonds also began with a comfortable win, 3-0 at home to Thailand's Buriram United.

Daiki Hashioka hit a brace for the Japanese side.

AFP