Dalian Beats Shimizu S-Pulse to Enter Asian FinalChinese champions Dalian Shide reached the Asian Cup Winners Cup final on Thursday after defeating holders Shimizu S-Pulse of Japan 3-2 with a Golden Goal winner in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia on Thursday.The Chinese will now play Saudi Arabia's Al Shabab, who also won 3-2 in the other semi-final, beating newly-crowned Iranian champions Esteghlal. Hao Haidong returned from injury to score 19 minutes into extra- time and lead his side to their second continental final in three years, after losing the 1998 Asian Club Championship on penalties to Korean side Pohang Steelers. Shimizu, currently lying second in the J.League, came into the game as favourites but went a goal behind when Brazilian Orlando beat Ryuzo Morioka to Adilson's left wing cross. Shimizu levelled less than a minute later as captain Teruyoshi Ito struck from the edge of the area after Zhang Enhua failed to clear an Alex free-kick. Daisuke Ichikawa then gave Shimizu the lead 11 minutes into the second half but this time it was Dalian's turn to come back, Orlando scoring again three minutes later. In the other match, former Asian Player of the Year Saeed Owairan gave Al Shabab the lead from the penalty spot after just 15 minutes but Mohamed Navazi levelled the score, 13 minutes later. Abdullah Shehan put Al Shabab back in front when he beat Esteghlal's flat-footed defence 12 minutes after the restart only for Ahmad Momenzadeh to level with a spectacular volley from the edge of the area. But just as the game was heading towards extra-time, Khalid Al Dossary delivered the killer blow with three minutes to go. |
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