Becamex Binh Duong made a strong start to their Asian Football Confederation Champions League campaign yesterday, holding Jiangsu FC to a draw at home despite playing the last 20 minutes with 10 men.

Becamex Binh Duong's Yoloya Moses (right) vies for a ball against Jiangsu FC captain Wu Xi during their AFC Champions League match in Binh Duong Province yesterday. The match ended 1-1. — Photo the-afc.com 

Ji Xiang and Nguyen Anh Duc were on target for either side in the 1-1 draw.

Ji put the Chinese FA Cup winners in front after 13 minutes at Binh Duong Stadium, but captain Duc restored parity for the Vietnamese champions with a penalty just before the half hour mark.

Although Cameroon forward Christian Amougou Nsi was sent-off after 68 minutes, the hosts were able to hang on for a well-earned point.

After a positive start for the visitors, midfielder Ji netted the first goal of the 2016 AFC Champions League as he fired in Jo's pull-back from the left from 12 yards out.

Brazilian debutant Ramires nearly added a second goal as his acrobatic scissor-kick from Jo's headed flick-on sailed narrowly over the crossbar.

The hosts were not overawed by Jiangsu, though, and Amougou went close with a header on 22 minutes.

And after a flying challenge on Nsi's strike partner Henry Kisekka by Jiangsu goalkeeper Zhang Sipeng resulted in a penalty to the home side, composed Duc coolly despatched the spot-kick on 28 minutes with a chipped effort.

Jiangsu came out strongly after the restart with Wu Xi, Xin Lin and Jo all going close to restoring the Chinese Super League side's lead as marquee signing Alex Teixeira began to increase his influence on the game.

Binh Duong tried to respond, but their efforts suffered a blow with 22 minutes remaining as Amougou received his marching orders after a second yellow card.

Jiangsu attempted to take advantage of their numerical superiority, but Binh Duong goalkeeper Bui Tan Truong was in inspired form, and along with his defenders, proved an obstacle too big to overcome for the away side.

In the Group E match, goals in each half from Go Moo-yul and Lee Dong-gook handed former winners Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors from South Korea a 2-1 win over Japan's FC Tokyo at Jeonju World Cup Stadium.

After the first round, Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors are on top with three points and will play Jiangsu in their next match. Becamex Binh Duong, in third position, will travel to Japan to face FC Tokyo on March 1. 

VNS