BRAZILIAN Paulinho struck a stunning 40-meter freekick as Guangzhou Evergrande took a firm grip of its Asian Champions League (ACL) quarterfinal against Kashiwa Reysol with a 3-1 first leg win in Japan on Tuesday.

    The 40th-minute sumptuous set-piece followed a 5th-minute own goal by Daisuke Suzuki, with Chinese international Gao Lin heading a third just before the hour mark.

    Masato Kudo snatched an 89th-minute consolation for the hosts, turning in at the back post after a corner was flicked on, but the earlier damage should result in a straightforward return leg in China on Sept. 15 for the former winner.

    It marked a winning return to the ACL for former Brazil coach Luiz Felipe Scolari, who replaced Fabio Cannavaro as boss of the four-time reigning Chinese champion in June, after previous experience with Uzbekistan’s Bunyodkor.

    The Brazilian was quick to bring in compatriot Paulinho who, along with the enterprising Ricardo Goulart and delivery of Huang Bowen, proved too much for the Japanese, who they battered 8-1 in the semis two years ago en route to the title.

    The second East Asian last eight encounter between Kashiwa’s J-League rival Gamba Osaka and Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors kicks off later with the first leg in South Korea.

    (SD-Agencies)