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Asian Champions League: Pusan 3 - Al Sadd 0 [Thu Sep 15th, 2005]
Two goals in the last three minutes of the first leg of the quarter-final put Pusan within touching distance of a last four place in the Asian Champions League and leaves Al-Sadd’s hopes of continental glory hanging by a thread.
The South Koreans continued their fine form forward from the group stage - their record now reads 28 goals scored and none conceded from seven games.
It was no more than the home side deserved as they dominated the match from start to finish. New signing Da Silva did most of the damage by bagging an opportunistic brace.
After Lee Seongnam turned and crossed from the left in the 20th minute, Da Silva rose above the Qatari defence and headed against the ‘keepers left hand post but fortunately for the Koreans the ball bounced behind the line.
I-cons created a number of chances and were helped with only ten minute remaining when Al Sadd defender Ali Nasser received a red card for fouling Busan’s Brazilian midfielder Popo.
With three minutes remaining, the Brazilian stroked the ball past Basel Samih in Al-Sadd’s goal from eight yards out. Samih was at fault for the third goal in the final minute as defender Yoon Hee-jun poked the ball home from close range as the goalkeeper spilled Popo’s innocuous looking free kick.
The second leg takes place in Doha on September 21.
John Duerden
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