• The Chinese Super League could be the next big thing among global football fanatics, insiders say.

The Chinese Super League could be the next big thing among global football fanatics, insiders say. (Photo : Reuters)

Guangzhou Evergrande have qualified to the last 16 stage of the AFC Champions League after a cagey match with FC Seoul, which ended in a 0-0 draw on Tuesday.

Former champions Guangzhou squared off against FC Seoul at the Seoul World Cup Stadium. It was a difficult but equally entertaining match and a replay of the 2013 final of the tournament.

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According to reports by ForeignAffairs, although the game was tight and tense, both teams gave away several chances. This was especially true in the early moments of the first half when both teams gave the ball away cheaply as they lacked composure in their quest to establish fluency and kickstart their unique playing styles.

Guangzhou had a lot of chances and would have taken the lead after Brazilian striker Elkesen made a beautiful run to beat Seoul player Kim Jun-Kyu on the left area. Elkesen released a powerful shot that only grazed Seoul's side netting.

FC Seoul also had the opportunity to take the lead and would have done so 12 minutes into the tie after Lee Sand-hyeob struck a beautiful free kick from the left side, forcing teammate Kim-Hyun-sung to try a diving header which went over the six-yard box.

The first half of the match ended with both teams fired up for the win. However, when the second began, it was quite clear that both teams were tactically cautious. They pressed high and left little space for their opponents to work.

Arguably the best moment of the match came with just 17 minutes left on the clock when Elkesen gave a delightful pass across the face of goal to Ricardo Goulart. The ball bounced off Seoul's goalkeeper and was still rolling into the net before Ko Kwang-min cleared the ball just off the line.