UPSET-CONSCIOUS newcomer United City FC failed to hold on to the lead and settled for a 1-all draw with Beijing Guoan FC of China at the start of the AFC Champions League group stage Saturday at the Budyokor Stadium in Tashkent, Uzbekistan.
Skipper Stephan Schrock slipped past through the Chinese defensive gauntlet to deliver the icebreaker in the 28th from 20 yards, fittingly booking the club’s historic first goal in Asia’s
premier club tournament on the way to a 1-0 lead after 45 minutes of intense play.
The reigning Philippines Football League champions were relentless in their attack in the second half, with Hikaru Menegishi and Spanish striker Bienvenido Maranon keeping Beijing Guoan goalkeeper Guo Quanbo on his toes.
The Chinese club finally found the equalizer through young team captain and defender Liang Shaowen, 19, who netted a curling 25-yard free kick in the 73rd minute past UCFC goalie Anthony Pintus.
UCFC made history in earning the first point by any local club in the AFC Champions League, which should serve as a huge morale boost before they face reigning J-League champion Kawasaki Frontale of Japan, a tense 3-2 winner over South Korea’s Daegu FC, tomorrow.
