DAEGU FC of South Korea stayed in the hunt for a top spot finish, recording a comprehensive 3-0 win against Beijing Guoan in Group I of the 2021 AFC Champions League on Monday.

Nearly 90 minutes of dominance and more than 30 efforts on goal were rewarded thanks to strikes from Kim Jun-hyuk and Jung Chi-in, as well as a Liang Shawoen own goal, as the K-League outfit made it back-to-back wins against the now-eliminated Chinese side.

Daegu’s win sets up a blockbuster Matchday Five clash against group leader Kawasaki Frontale, where a win to Lee Byung-geun’s men will give them a chance of leapfrogging the J1 League champions into pole position in the section.

Needing to win to keep the pressure on Kawasaki, Daegu didn’t take long to assert their dominance, assuming complete control as Beijing — eager to avoid a third successive heavy defeat — stayed back in numbers.

Despite Beijing’s defense-first approach, the chances came thick and fast, with Kim and Park Han-bin both guilty of squandering clear-cut opportunities in the opening half-hour.

When Daegu did manage to test Guo Quanbo, the Beijing goalkeeper was up to the task, making several first half saves before the Korean side finally broke the deadlock with their 22nd attempt on goal before the interval.

After patiently trying to break their opponents down, it was the route one approach that paid dividends, with Jo Jing-woo flicking on Hwang Soon-min’s long ball before Kim controlled and volleyed home from close range in the final minute before half-time.

Beijing provided few obvious avenues to goal after the break either, but Daegu managed to double their advantage in the 57th minute, with substitute Jeong sweeping home An Yong-woo’s low cross to give his side some breathing space.

(SD-Agencies)