Jeonbuk ends Champions League 1st round with draw

Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors ended the group stage of the continent’s top club football tournament with a draw on Tuesday.

Jeonbuk was held to a scoreless tie by Buriram United of Thailand in its final Group G match at the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Champions League on Tuesday at Jeonju World Cup Stadium in Jeonju, North Jeolla.

The result meant nothing to Jeonbuk, who had already clinched the top seed in Group G with a victory two weeks ago.

After posting 13 points on four wins, one draw and one loss in the group stage, Jeonbuk will now chase its third AFC Champions League crown, hoping to win its first since 2016.

Jeonbuk had 18 shot attempts against Buriram but only managed three of them on target.

The other Korean club in action on Tuesday, Ulsan Hyundai FC, got blown out by Shanghai SIPG FC 5-0 in Group H action at Shanghai Stadium in Shanghai.

But Ulsan, too, had secured the No. 1 spot in its group two weeks ago, and they’ll look to win its second AFC title after going all the way in 2012. Ulsan finished group play with 11 points from three wins, two draws and a loss.

Shanghai, needing a victory to get into the round of 16, thoroughly outplayed Ulsan. Oscar opened the scoring in the seventh minute en route to a hat trick, with Li Shenglong and Hu Jinghang chipping in a goal apiece. Shanghai outshot Ulsan 12-2.

In the two-legged round of 16, Jeonbuk will face the runners-up from Group H, Shanghai. Ulsan will go up against Urawa Red Diamonds, who ended up as the second seed in Group G.

Jeonbuk will play on June 19, while Ulsan will take on Urawa on June 26.

Yonhap