Shanghai SIPG loses to Ulsan Hyundai in AFC Champions League

Shanghai SIPG of China lost Wednesday to Ulsan Hyundai of South Korea in the 2019 AFC Champions League.

The Group H match was held at Munsu Football Stadium in Ulsan, about 400 km south of the capital Seoul, where the Chinese team lost to the South Korean opponent 1-0.

Brazilian striker Hulk shoots the ball during the AFC Champions League group game between Shanghai SIPG and Ulsan Hyundai in Ulsan on Mar 13, 2019. [Photo: IC]

In the second round of the group stage games, Junior Negrao of Ulsan was the only goal scorer as the substitute headed in from Kim Bo-kyung's corner in the 67th minute.

Ulsan topped the Group H with one win and one draw. The reigning Chinese Super League champions won a 1-0 home victory a week earlier over Kawasaki Frontale in the first group match.

Meantime Beijing Guoan dominated but could only draw with Urawa Red Diamonds, as the Chinese team were held 0-0 by their Japanese opponents in the second match of the AFC Champions League's Group G.

Guoan lost to Jeonbuk Motors 3-1 in their opening match, while Urawa Reds had eased past Buriram United with a 3-0 victory. The capital side started with all four overseas players on the field, with local hitman Zhang Yuning partnering Cedric Bakambu up front.

Bakambu wasted a good opportunity on 18 minutes as his attempt from a tight angle went wide with goalkeeper Nishikawa Shusaku well beaten.

Jonathan Viera's long-range strike after the break was palmed away before Renato Augusto's free kick also tested Shusaku.

In the dying minutes, Viera's curler rattled the woodwork before Bakambu had the ball in the net but his goal was disallowed for offside.

The draw, coupled with Buriram United's stunning win over Jeonbuk Motors, puts Guoan bottom of Group G with 1 point, while Urawa Reds currently sit top.