Defending Philippines Football League champions United City started their 2022 AFC Champions League campaign on a heartbreaking note, absorbing a 0-1 defeat at the hands of K League 2 side Jeonnam, Friday evening, at the Pathum Thani Stadium in Thailand.
After a goalless first half, Jeonnam had a fantastic opportunity to break the deadlock. Thanks to a faulty backpass, midfielder Sato Yuhei had an attempt at goal, only for his shot to be cleared by United City defender Alan Robertson.
In the final 10 minutes of the contest, United City was forced to defend its lines resolutely as Jeonnam held most of the possession and was able to provoke set-piece situations in search of the winner.
Unfortunately, United City failed to hold on. Come the 86th minute, Jeonnam forward Leonard Pllana found himself unmarked in the opposition box and he calmly shot past goalkeeper Anthony Pinthus to give his side the lead.
The result means that United City is bottom of Group G as it is the only club to not have sealed a point on matchday one. In contrast, Jeonnam top the standings with 3 points.
Both teams shall next play on Monday at the Pathum Thani Stadium. United City takes on Melbourne City (1 point) at 10:00 PM while Jeonnam Dragons (3 points) go up against BG Pathum United (1 point) beforehand at 7:00 PM.
United City XI: Pinthus (GK), Lyngbo, Ebarle, Juraboev, Ott (C), Daniels, Dizon, Hartmann, Robertson, Sendra, Forrosuelo.
Jeonnam XI: Taewon, Chanwool, Seokhyun, Pllana, Seongeol, Hojin, Inhyeok, Sunhyuck, Sato, Hokang, Dasol (C, GK)
