Talisca's goal sends Guangzhou Evergrande into AFC Champions League semifinals

A goal from Anderson Talisca helped send Guangzhou Evergrande into the semifinals of the AFC Champions League at the expense of defending champions Kashima Antlers here on Wednesday.

The 1-1 draw in their quarterfinal second leg was enough to see Guangzhou progress on away goals, after the first leg in Guangzhou had finished 0-0.

Anderson Talisca celebrates after scoring a goal during the AFC Champions League quarter-final second leg game between Guangzhou Evergarnde and Kashima Antlers in Ibaraki, Japan on September 18, 2019. [Photo: IC]

The home side started brightly, with Sho Ito going close with a header just three minutes into the game. Ten minutes later, Leo Silva's deflected attempt from the edge of the area forced Guangzhou keeper Zeng Cheng into a flying save, and Serginho headed Ryota Nagaki's free-kick wide in the 32nd minute.

However, Guangzhou survived the early onslaught and broke the deadlock when Talisca hammered Huang Bowen's corner home five minutes before half-time.

The second half saw Kashima level quickly, as Leo Silva's curling strike hit Serginho and deflected into the net in the 51st minute.

With Guangzhou holding an away goal, the home side poured forward in search of another goal, but Jung Seung-hyun and Serginho were both thwarted by Zeng.

Guangzhou will face fellow Japanese side Urawa Red Diamonds in next month's semifinal, with the winners meeting either Al Sadd from Qatar or Saudi Arabia's Al Hilal in November's two-legged final.