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Michael Church

Guangzhou Evergrande took a major step towards booking a berth in the semi-finals of the AFC Champions League with a 3-1 win over Kashiwa Reysol in Japan on Tuesday night.
The star-studded Chinese football team, under World Cup-winning coach Luiz Felipe Scolari, were inspired by former Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Paulinho in the first-leg quarter-final matchup. 
That was definitely the best goal of my career
Paulinho on scoring from a free kick from 40 yards
Paulinho, making his debut in the competition after joining Guangzhou from the English Premier League club last month, scored with a sensational free kick from close to 40 yards and was also instrumental in his side's opener as the 2013 champions looked in good touch.
"That was definitely the best goal of my career," said the 27-year-old, whose long-range effort left Kashiwa goalkeeper Takanori Sugeno rooted to the spot.

The Chinese Super League champions were handed the lead after just five minutes courtesy of an own goal from Kashiwa captain Daisuke Suzuki before Paulinho doubled the advantage before half-time with his super strike. 
Guangzhou, who beat Kashiwa 4-0 in their 2013 AFC Champions League semi-final first leg in Japan en route to claiming the continental title, added a third at the start of the second half through China striker Gao Lin.
Kashiwa striker Masato Kudo was able to pull a goal back inside the final minute, but Guangzhou will still take a substantial advantage into next month’s second leg.
Despite the result, Scolari remained cautious, saying: “It was an exciting game and both teams were very strong. We were able to make good decisions on the pitch and that was the main difference, but the result of the first leg is not decisive in this kind of competition.
“I am very confident about my team's performance in the second leg, but I also respect Kashiwa and we will not underestimate them. I think Kashiwa is the strongest opponent I have faced in my 12 games in charge of Guangzhou so far. The Kashiwa coach had prepared his team very well and they put us under a lot of pressure.”


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AFC Champions League 2015

Paulinho inspires Guangzhou Evergrande to 3-1 victory over Kashiwa Reysol in AFC Champions League 

Guangzhou Evergrande defender Feng Xiaoting finds himself sandwiched by Kashiwa Reysol defender Daisuke Suzuki and forward Masato Kudo during their AFC Champions League quarter-final clash in Kashiwa. Photo: AFP 

Sport

China

Former Tottenham Hotspur midfielder scores with a sensational free kick from 40 yards in first-leg quarter-final


Guangzhou Evergrande took a major step towards booking a berth in the semi-finals of the AFC Champions League with a 3-1 win over Kashiwa Reysol in Japan on Tuesday night.
