A GOAL from Anderson Talisca helped send Guangzhou Evergrande into the semifinals of the AFC Champions League (ACL) at the expense of defending champions Kashima Antlers in Kashima, Japan, on Wednesday.

The 1-1 draw in their quarterfinal second leg was enough to see Guangzhou progress on away goals, after the first leg in Guangzhou finished 0-0.

The home side started brightly, with Sho Ito getting close with a header just three minutes into the game. Ten minutes later, Leo Silva’s deflected attempt from the edge of the area forced Guangzhou keeper Zeng Cheng into a flying save, and Serginho headed Ryota Nagaki’s free-kick wide in the 32nd minute.

However, Guangzhou survived the early onslaught and broke the deadlock when Talisca hammered Huang Bowen’s corner home five minutes before half-time. The second half saw Kashima level quickly, as Leo Silva’s curling strike hit Serginho and deflected into the net in the 51st minute.

With Guangzhou holding an away goal, the home side poured forward in search of another goal, but Jung Seung-hyun and Serginho were both thwarted by Zeng.

Guangzhou will face Japanese side Urawa Red Diamonds next month.(Xinhua)