Former Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Paulinho scored the only goal of the game as Guangzhou Evergrande emerged with a 1-0 win over Japan's Kashima Antlers in the first leg of their round of 16 meeting in the Asian Champions League on Tuesday.

Guangzhou, Asian champions in 2013 and 2015, dominated the game but had to wait until the 75th minute for the Brazil international to score from close range after the Kashima defence failed to clear Yu Hanchao's corner.

'Today we have achieved our target,' said Guangzhou coach Luiz Felipe Scolari. 'Kashima is a well-known, strong side. Probably because they were playing away, they were a bit conservative.




 Paulinho scored as Guangzhou Evergrande beat Kashima Antlers in the Champions League





The Brazilian struck the Tianhe Stadium to give the Guangzhou the advantage in the last 16 tie





Guangzhou Evergrande manager Luiz Felipe Scolari instructs his side during the first leg





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'It was pretty tight, however most of the time we controlled the match. We had four or five good scoring opportunities. Today we have been outstanding, both in the performance and the result. However, this round isn't finished and they still have their chance.'

Guangzhou were on top throughout in a game that saw the reigning Chinese and https://1kuwin.trade Japanese champions go head-to-head, only for the profligacy of Scolari's frontline to deprive Evergrande of a more significant margin of victory.

Ricardo Goulart, Ricardo Goulart and Li Xuepeng all squandered scoring opportunities before Paulinho gave his team a deserved lead and a one-goal advantage ahead of the second leg next Tuesday in Japan.




Guangzhou Evergrande's Li Xuepeng heads the ball during the AFC Champions League match





Guangzhou dominated the second-half and the hosts were rewarded 15 minutes from time





The second leg takes place next week in Japan where another fierce encounter is expected





The Antlers will hope to make home advantage count in their bid to overturn the deficit

It was a mixed evening for Japanese clubs as Kawasaki Frontale came from going a goal behind to pick up a 3-1 away win over Thailand's Muangthong United as J.League clubs look to claim the title for the first time since Gamba Osaka's win in 2008.

Teerasil Dangda gave Muangthong the lead in first half injury time but two goals in three second-half minutes put Kawasaki in control.

Kengo Nakamura rolled his effort over the line in the 66th minute before Kengo Nakamura curling volley three minutes later gave Muangthong goalkeeper Kawin Thamsatchanan little chance, and the J.League side secured a two-goal lead and three away goals ahead of the second leg when Hiroyuki Abe added a late third.




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Arsenal express interest in KAS Eupen whizzkid Henry... Tianjin Quanjian insist they have not held talks with... Manchester United target Antoine Griezmann is 'ready to... Manchester United may have paid him millions and he has...



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