Brazilian forward Leonardo scored twice as former winners Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors secured a second consecutive place in the quarter-finals of the AFC Champions League as a 2-1 win over Australia’s Melbourne Victory on Tuesday wrapped up a 3-2 aggregate victory.
Having equalised for Jeonbuk in last week’s 1-1 draw in Melbourne with a stunning free-kick, Leonardo opened the scoring after 29 minutes at Jeonju World Cup Stadium with another set-piece before netting his fourth goal in his last three AFC Champions League outings with 19 minutes remaining.
And despite Besart Berisha, who also scored in last week’s first leg, setting up a tense finish by netting from close range inside the final 10 minutes, Jeonbuk held on as the 2006 champions Jeonbuk advanced to the last eight for a second consecutive season following Round of 16 exits in both 2013 and 2014.
“I am happy that we have achieved our target and made it through to the last eight,” said Jeonbuk coach Choi Kang-hee.
“The players performed well in front of our fans. We gave the ball away a little too often early in the game, but that can happen. The players had a strong will to get through and that was a big factor.
“We knew it would be a tough game and it was. The games have been coming thick and fast for us and it makes it hard but the players have responded well. We are improving all the time and are ready for the next challenge.”
Jeonbuk started aggressively with Leonardo shooting just wide from distance before Melbourne’s Archie Thompson almost gave the visitors the lead in the fifth minute only to first see his header from Jason Geria's cross smartly saved by goalkeeper Kwoun Sun-tae before his effort from the rebound was blocked by Choi Chul-soon.
The home side, though, continued to press and midway through the first half Luiz Henrique squared the ball to Lee Dong-gook outside the area and the striker's low shot was turned around the post by Melbourne goalkeeper Lawrence Thomas.
And after 29 minutes Leonardo finally broke the deadlock as the Brazilian whipped in a free-kick from the side of the penalty area that Thomas could only help into the far corner.
Moments later Jeonbuk almost added a second following a defensive mix-up, but Han Kyo-won shot wide with just goalkeeper Thomas to beat.
Melbourne did have a rare sight of goal just before the break as Jeonbuk failed to clear a corner, but Nick Ansell also shot just wide with goalkeeper Kwoun struggling.
Jeonbuk continued to be on top in the second half, but with the home side unable to add a second, Melbourne slowly started to find a way back into the contest.
But with 19 minutes remaining substitute Ricardo Lopes broke free down the left and pulled the ball back to the edge of the area for his Brazilian compatriot Leonardo to fire a first-time shot into the roof of the net.
Substitute Lopes then hit the woodwork with a fierce shot with 10 minutes remaining before soon after Melbourne’s Kosta Barbarouses hit the foot of the post with Kwoun beaten.
Melbourne, though, did pull a goal back with seven minutes remaining as Berisha flicked home from a perfect Jai Ingham cross from the right, but it proved too late for the visitors.
“We should have won the first leg. When it was 0-0 we had the better chances to score,” said Melbourne coach Kevin Muscat.
“We were making it difficult for Jeonbuk, but then we gave a way a free-kick and conceded the opening goal.
“I am proud of the players and they made a number of opportunities to score. While I am disappointed at the moment, I am also happy that we are closing the gap on a team with the ability and history of Jeonbuk.”
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