Beijing FC into AFC Champions League Quarter-Finals at FC Tokyo's Expense

Doha, December 06 (QNA) - A goal from A Lan sent Beijing FC into the AFC Champions League quarter-finals for the first time in club history, with the Chinese outfit winning 1-0 to eliminate FC Tokyo in their Round of 16 clash at Education City Stadium on Sunday. The Brazilian-born striker, formally known as Alan Carvalho, scored the decisive goal in the 59th minute, stretching Bruno Gnsio's side's unbeaten run in the tournament to seven matches, and taking them to within three wins of a maiden Asian title. Tokyo's defeat ends their stay in Doha but extends a run of outs at this stage of the competition, with Chinese opposition now bringing them undone in all three of their visits to the Round of 16. The high-stakes nature of the East Zone's first knockout stage match brought an increase of intensity, with time on the ball a luxury for both teams in a hard-fought opening 15 minutes. Tokyo looked to press high up the pitch during that period of the match, finding early success by keeping Beijing locked into their own defensive half, and it was the Japanese side which had two of the better early chances through Tsuyoshi Watanabe and Leandro. Beijing had found an extra gear. The impressive Kim Min-jae kept the pressure on Tokyo when he headed Xizhe's corner kick just over the bar in the 57th minute, and the Chinese club's breakthrough duly arrived two minutes later. After his two earlier misses, the third time proved a charm for A Lan, who poked home his fourth goal of the tournament from eight yards after more magic from Renato Augusto, who dribbled into the penalty area from the flank before picking out his teammate. A Lan succumbed to a knock not long after and was replaced by Zhang Yuning, but Beijing remained on top, with a thumping drive from Renato Augusto bringing out the best in Tokyo goalkeeper Go Hatano as Kenta Hasegawa's side fought to stay in the contest. Tokyo turned their attention to the search for an equaliser but rarely managed to ask any questions of goalkeeper Hou Sen, leaving Beijing FC to prepare for a Thursday quarter-final, with their opponents to be determined by the knockout stage draw on Tuesday morning. (QNA)