Victory rocked by Daegu in AFC Champions League opener

Melbourne Victory were shell-shocked by a Cesinha-inspired Daegu FC as the AFC Champions League debutants prevailed 3-1 in Tuesday night’s enthralling Group F opener.

Ola Toivonen opened accounts for Victory, but the Brazilian striker netted a remarkable equaliser and teed up goals for Hwang Soon-min and compatriot Edgar to consign Victory to their first home AFC Champions League defeat since 2011.

Despite an enterprising first half display, the reigning Hyundai A-League Champions will rue their failure to shackle the former Corinthians youth Cesinha, a stand out performer for the South Korean FA Cup winners and mastermind of his side’s decisive 30-minute spell.

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Raul Baena’s warning shot flashed marginally over the bar and Kosta Barbarouses headed against the woodwork before Victory struck first through their returning Swedish forward, who tucked Kosta Barbarouses’ centre home after a lovely exchange with Keisuke Honda.

But the lead was quickly erased when Daegu’s two Brazilian forwards combined in the most fabulous style, Edgar cushioning a cross down with his chest as Cesinha unleashed a remarkable swerving volley from outside the area.

Victory

Honda, playing in his maiden AFC Champions League appearance, was denied a debut goal in response as Daegu shot stopper Cho Hyun-woo parried away the Japanese star’s first-time hit.

And Victory fell behind shortly into the second half when Hwang Soon-min, pushing forward from left fullback, hit an ambitious effort which clipped Storm Roux and looped over Lawrence Thomas.

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Thomas was then alert to Cesinha’s volley but could not prevent Edgar from getting his name on the scoresheet minutes later, nipping in front of Thomas Deng and sweeping home a killer third, a goal which consigned Muscat’s men to a rare AFC Champions League defeat at home.

Victory’s seventh AFC Champions League campaign continues next Tuesday with a visit to J-League outfit Sanfrecce Hiroshima, kick off 9.00pm (AEDT).

Cesinha