Jeonbuk beats Tianjin, advances in AFC Champions League

JEONJU, South Korea, May 24 (Yonhap) -- Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors of South Korea's K-League defeated Tianjin Teda of China 3-0 Tuesday to advance to the quarterfinals of an ongoing Asian club football competition. Brazilian Oliveira Junior Eninho scored twice for Jeonbuk in the round of 16 match at the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Champions League. Lee Seung-hyun had another goal at Jeonbuk's home, Jeonju World Cup Stadium, about 240 kilometers south of Seoul. Eninho broke the scoreless deadlock in the 32nd minute, driving on the right wing and hammering the ball past goalkeeper Zhao Yanming from point-blank range. The Brazilian was also involved in the second goal. He launched a hard shot just inside the box in the 43rd minute, and Lee pounced on the rebound after Zhao made a tough save. Jeonbuk didn't let up in the second half, with Krunoslav Lovrek and Kim Dong-chan testing Zhao in the net. Eninho rounded out the scoring in the 84th minute, converting a pass from Lovrek on the left side of the box. Two other K-League teams have reached the round of 16. On Wednesday, FC Seoul will host Kashima Antlers and Suwon Samsung Bluewings will take on Nagoya Grampus at home. Both matches will start at 7:30 p.m. Winners from the round of 16 will be entered in a draw to set up quarterfinal matchups. The quarterfinals will be home-and-away, with the first leg on Sept. 14 and the second leg on either Sept. 27 or 28. The aggregate score will determine the winner. AFC Champions League games are set up intermittently to accommodate playing schedules for participating clubs in their own leagues. The semifinals will be in October, and the one-and-done championship match will be in November. The K-League has been the most successful circuit in the Asian Champions League, with nine champions. Last year, all four K-League representatives reached the quarterfinals, and Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma won the title.