United City’s frustrating 2022 AFC Champions League campaign continues after it suffered a 2-0 loss to Jeonnam Dragons, its fifth consecutive loss in the competition, Wednesday evening, at the Pathum Thani Stadium in Thailand.
After a goalless first half that saw United City frustrate Jeonnam Dragons, things fell apart for the reigning Philippines Football Champions following the halftime break.
Kieran Hayes was sent off at the 48th minute for incurring another yellow card and the K League 2 side found the opening it needed to turn the game upside down.
Substitute forward Leonard Pllana, who scored the winner the last time both sides squared off, broke the deadlock off a Lee Hoo-gwon at the 58th minute to hand Jeonnam Dragons the priceless lead.
Another substitute, Park In-hyeok, then sealed all three points for Jeonnam Dragons when he doubled his team’s cushion at the 90+3 minute.
The outcome means that Jeonnam Dragons maintain their slim hopes of entering the knockouts with 7 points in Group G while United City has yet to tally a single point this campaign.
Both teams end their Group G assignments on Saturday. Jeonnam Dragons (4 points) take on BG Pathum United at 7:00 PM while United City goes up against Melbourne City at 10:00 PM.
Jeonnam Dragons XI: Jungwon, Chanwool, Kacharava, Hookwon, Hokang, Dasol (GK, C), Kyuhyuk, Seungmin, Hojung, Taehyun, Jungmin.
United City XI: Juraboev, Hayes, Esswein, Bugas, Minegishi, Ouano, Dizon, Jarvis, Robertson ©, Silva (GK), Grierson.
