GOALS from Elkeson and Wu Lei saw AFC Champions League (ACL) debutant Shanghai SIPG post its maiden continental victory as the side edged South Korea’s Suwon Samsung Bluewings 2-1 in the Group G clash Wednesday.

    Former Guangzhou Evergrande forward Elkeson netted his 15th AFC Champions League goal, and first in Shanghai SIPG colors, on 32 minutes before China midfielder Wu made it 2-0 with his second of the competition in the 51st minute.

    Jang Hyun-soo’s 71st minute reply for two-time Asian Club Championship winner Suwon did, though, ensure a nervy finish for Sven Goran Eriksson’s men and the crowd at Shanghai Stadium.

    “This win is a very good step for us, and everyone is very happy. We deserve this win as we created more chances,” said Shanghai coach Eriksson.

    “Our opponents were physically better and also good in their passing so it was a very entertaining and intense game.

    “This result is very positive for our future in this group.”

    Suwon nearly got off to an ideal start in the opening three minutes as Kim Jong-woo profited from Kim Ju-young’s slip inside the penalty area and played in Kim Gun-hee, but the striker saw his shot from inside the six-meter area cannon off the legs of onrushing goalkeeper Yan Junling.

    A back-and-forth affair then ensued until two-time AFC Champions League winner Elkeson broke the stalemate in style shortly after the half hour mark when the Brazilian surged onto Wu’s lofted pass, beat Yeon Jei-min, and then fired past No Gong-geon into the bottom left hand corner.

    And Shanghai players thought they had doubled their lead on the stroke of half time, but Elkeson was flagged offside as Dario Conca’s free kick found its way into the net after evading attackers, defenders and goalkeeper alike.

    Suwon coach Seo Jung-won brought on his own Brazilian forward, Santos, in place of Lee Jong-sun at half time, but six minutes after the restart it was Shanghai who extended their advantage.

    A passing move featuring Wu, Elkeson, and Lu Wenjun saw the latter play in the former, who had ghosted into the penalty area, and the 24-year-old coolly finished for the second time in consecutive continental games following his strike in the 2-1 Matchday 1 defeat to Melbourne Victory.

    Suwon did reduce the deficit with 19 minutes remaining when captain Yeom Ki-hun split the defense with a superb pass that met the run of overlapping left-back Yang Sang-min and his low cross was converted from close range by second-half substitute Jang.

    “Today’s match was very difficult for us and we made two mistakes that led to goals,” said Suwon coach Seo.

    “Shanghai was good in defense too, although we still managed to score once.

    “Wu Lei, in particular, was very impressive today and we will do more research on him and their team for their visit to our home stadium. We will have a better chance to win there.”

    (SD-Agencies)