Beijing Guoan draws 10-man FC Seoul in champions league home leg

Kanoute, left, of Beijing Guoan reacts during their first leg game of AFC Champions league last 16 against FC Seoul of South Korea at the Workers' Stadium in Beijing, May 14, 2013. [Photo/Xinhua]

BURIRAM, Thailand - Beijing Guoan's prospects of qualifying for the last eight of the AFC Champions League will rest squarely on the club's trip to South Korea next week after the Chinese Super League side were held to a 0-0 draw by 10-man FC Seoul at the Workers' Stadium Tuesday night.

Aleksandar Stanojevic's side were unable to break down the K-League champions, despite Choi Hyo-jin's 60th-minute sending off for a second yellow card, having picked up his first booking of the game just eight minutes earlier.

However, despite playing for last half hour plus injury time with one man's advantage, Beijing were unable to find a way through the well-organized FC Seoul defence, and the two teams will go at it again next Tuesday in the second leg of the tie to determine who will advance.

Victory, or even a score draw, will secure Beijing a place in the quarterfinals of the competition for the first time in their history to become only the sixth Chinese side in the past 10 years to make it into the last eight.

In the other eastern zone match, Buriram United overcame some off-field distractions to beat Uzbek powerhouse Bunyodkor 2-1b to kick off the second round race.

The first Thai club in a decade to advance past the group stage in the continental tournament, Buriram had to regroup quickly after manager Atthaphol Puspakom was fired despite guiding them into the knockout rounds.

Midfielder Anawin Jujeen opened the scoring with a header in the 18th minute but two-time semifinalist Bunyodkor equalized just before half time via substitute Igor Taran's well-timed volley.

Ekkachai Sumrei clinched the win with a glancing header in the 77th, giving Buriram a one-goal cushion ahead next week's away match at Tashkent. Bunyodkor had been unbeaten in the six group matches to progress to the second round in the ACL for the sixth consecutive season.

New Burirum coach Scott Cooper was in charge in an Asian Champions League match for the first time. He replaced long-time manager Atthaphol after the club progressed to the knockout round with a dramatic 2-2 draw against FC Seoul in the last of group match.

Choi Hyo-jin, second left, of FC Seoul receives a red card after fouling on Wang Xiaolong, left, of Beijing Guoan during their first leg game of AFC Champions league last 16 at the Workers' Stadium in Beijing, May 14, 2013. [Photo/CFP]