United City FC drops AFC Champions League opener to Jeonnam

By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña

Philippine representative United City Football Club failed to hold on until the final whistle and suffered a 0-1 defeat against the Jeonnam Dragons in the ongoing 2022 AFC Champions League Group stages.

With only four minutes left in the game, Jeonnam was able to find an opening after United City’s backline defense collapsed which resulted in the game’s first and only goal courtesy of Leonard Pilana.

The former Ceres-Negros FC team attempted to equalize the match with time not on their side but failed to do so after Jeonnam was able to tackle away their possession in the midfield area.

It was a tough defensive battle in the first 45 minutes of the match as the Filipinos chose to stick with their usual schemes that prevented the South Korean football team to penetrate at will.

However, at the start of the second half, Jeonnam had the chance to score their first goal after United City fumbled their pass inside the penalty area.

Jeonnam’s midfielder Sato Yuhei then rushed and attempted a clear goal but United City’s goalkeeper Alan Robertson predicted the direction of the ball for an emphatic save.

United City had their offensive chances but most of their transition passes and long through-balls were always checked by the Korean defenders.

With the loss, United City is still pointless in Group G of the Champions League and is behind Jeonnam, BG Pathum United, and Melbourne.

The Filipinos will have the chance to enter the scoring column and grab their first win when they take on Melbourne today at 10:00 PM.