TIANJIN, May 8 (Xinhua) -- Tianjin Quanjian wasted a chance in the second-half and had to settle for a 0-0 draw with Guangzhou Evergrande in a Chinese derby at the last 16 first leg of AFC Champions League here on Tuesday.
"I am not satisfied with the result, we performed great passing moves in the match and deserved to score at least one goal. I have said in the knock stage the game is 180 minutes, now we have just played the first half," Evergrande's coach Fabio Cannavaro said.
Evergrande missed playmaker Zheng Zhi but hitman Alan, who was under suspension in Chinese Super League, returned to action while Quanjian opted for Alexandre Pato to partner with Anthony Modeste in the forward line.
The hosts tested Evergrande just three minutes into the game as Modeste's low strike was straight at goalkeeper Zeng Cheng, and Zeng's counterpart Zhang Lu also denied Alan's attempt at the other end.
Quanjian were dealt a blow on 25 minutes when winger Sun Ke limped off with injury and was replaced by Wang Jie.
Evergrande got a good chance on the stroke of half-time. Liu Yiming's clearance was not far enough while Yu Hanchao chested it down and hit a volley. Zhang Lu was on alert to palm it away.
Two minutes after the break, Modeste's header met Zhang Cheng's cross from close range, but it was too weak to surprise Zeng Cheng.
Evergrande squandered a good opportunity when Ricardo Goulart's smart pass found an unmarked Alan in the box, but the Brazilian blasted it over.
Quanjian were poor in passing their way out of defense as Evergrande managed some chances as Yu Hanchao's angled drive was denied while Alan struck the side-net.
Quanjian almost scored on 79 minutes when defender Li Xuepeng misread a pass and Zeng Cheng needed a double save to deny Pato and Modeste's attempt.
Evergrande will host Quanjian in the second leg on May 15 and Fabio Cannavaro's side need a victory to go through.
