BEIJING - Tianjin Teda reclaimed a modicum of pride for Chinese soccer clubs when the 2010 Super League runner-up ended an embarrassing losing streak of 11 games to K-League teams in the AFC Champions League with a 1-0 victory over Jeju United on Tuesday.

Teda striker Yu Dabao's second-half goal was enough to give Arie Haan's men a hard-fought win over the South Korean side in the Group E opener at Jeju World Cup Stadium.

"This is the first game of the year, so it was a very hard game for us and Jeju United as well," said Tianjin's coach, Haan. "I'm very happy for the victory, but we still have five games to play.

"Chinese soccer is continually making progress and the domestic league has improved a lot compared with the first time I came to China in 2002. I am sure the Chinese will play better and better in international matches," the Dutchman said.

Chinese clubs had suffered through a seven-year drought against South Korean sides and Tianjin Teda's victory should boost the morale of the nation's other three teams in the competition - league champion Shandong Luneng, Shanghai Shenhua and Hangzhou Greentown.

Shandong will play away against South Korean side Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors on Wednesday and Shanghai will meet Japan's Kashima Antlers at home the same evening.

China Daily

(China Daily 03/02/2011 page24)