A spectacular strike from Choi Sung-kuk sealed a 1-0 win for Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma and ended Adelaide United's hopes of progressing from Group G of the AFC Champions League.
In an absorbing and hard-fought contest at the home of the K-League champions, the Australians ultimately had no reply to Choi's finishing prowess.
With Chinese champions Shandong Luneng five points clear at the top, both sides were fully aware that only a win would keep realistic hopes of a place in the quarter-final alive.
The opening phase of the game was therefore a tense affair, though Kim Do-heon could have given the seven-time K-League winners an 11th-minute lead.
However, the normally lethal midfielder could only pull a low shot wide of United's right hand post.
Kim's outswinging corner was then met by an unmarked Mota inside the six-yard box, but the Brazilian's header went well wide.
Adelaide created their best chance of the half after 28 minutes.
Travis Dodd released Richie Alagich down the right and his first time cross was met firmly by Fernando, but the ball sailed over the Seongnam bar.
However, the hosts took the lead in spectacular fashion just 60 seconds later.
Choi Sung-kuk robbed Richie Alagich just inside the Adelaide half and the former Ulsan star powered towards the area before producing a delightfully delicate chip over keeper Robert Bajic and into the top corner of the net.
The second half soon settled into a pattern of Adelaide pressure and Seongnam counter-attacks, Dodd going close for the visitors as the midfielder sent a header just over the bar from a corner after 57 minutes.
Choi should then have got his second a minute later. Mota found the diminutive attacker inside the area, but with time and space, he sidefooted the ball straight into the arms of a grateful Bajic.
However, Adelaide almost drew level with their best chance of the game in the 63rd minute. Diego released Bruce Djite but the striker found the side-netting from just inside the Seongnam area.
With 11 minutes remaining, the home side could have made sure of the points. A corner from the left was headed goalwards by Kim Dong-heon and only a goal-line block from Adam Van Dommele kept his team in the game.
There was still time left for a couple of Adelaide half-chances, but the hosts hung on for a vital win.
With Chinese champions Shandong Luneng five points clear at the top, both sides were fully aware that only a win would keep realistic hopes of a place in the quarter-final alive.
The opening phase of the game was therefore a tense affair, though Kim Do-heon could have given the seven-time K-League winners an 11th-minute lead.
However, the normally lethal midfielder could only pull a low shot wide of United's right hand post.
Kim's outswinging corner was then met by an unmarked Mota inside the six-yard box, but the Brazilian's header went well wide.
Adelaide created their best chance of the half after 28 minutes.
Travis Dodd released Richie Alagich down the right and his first time cross was met firmly by Fernando, but the ball sailed over the Seongnam bar.
However, the hosts took the lead in spectacular fashion just 60 seconds later.
Choi Sung-kuk robbed Richie Alagich just inside the Adelaide half and the former Ulsan star powered towards the area before producing a delightfully delicate chip over keeper Robert Bajic and into the top corner of the net.
The second half soon settled into a pattern of Adelaide pressure and Seongnam counter-attacks, Dodd going close for the visitors as the midfielder sent a header just over the bar from a corner after 57 minutes.
Choi should then have got his second a minute later. Mota found the diminutive attacker inside the area, but with time and space, he sidefooted the ball straight into the arms of a grateful Bajic.
However, Adelaide almost drew level with their best chance of the game in the 63rd minute. Diego released Bruce Djite but the striker found the side-netting from just inside the Seongnam area.
With 11 minutes remaining, the home side could have made sure of the points. A corner from the left was headed goalwards by Kim Dong-heon and only a goal-line block from Adam Van Dommele kept his team in the game.
There was still time left for a couple of Adelaide half-chances, but the hosts hung on for a vital win.
Copyright (c) Press Association
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