Shanghai SIPG 3 Melbourne Victory 1
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Shanghai get the better of Melbourne Victory
Shanghai SIPG take their chances in front of goal to send Melbourne Victory tumbling to a 3-1 defeat.
PT1M30S 620 349Melbourne Victory's Asian Champions League dreams will come down to the last day after a 3-1 loss to group leaders Shanghai SIPG on Tuesday.
Just four days after their A-League finals exit, Victory were undone by the Chinese Super League side, who scored first-half goals through Yu Hai and Elkeson.
A handball against Scott Galloway allowed Dario Conca to score a penalty after the break before Victory substitutes Jason Geria and Jesse Makarounas combined for a 80th-minute consolation goal.
Lu Wenjun of Shanghai SIPG and Scott Galloway of Melbourne Victory compete for possession. Photo: Getty Images
The result means Victory has a final chance to join Sydney FC in qualifying to the knockout phase when they host Gamba Osaka on May 3.
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Graham Arnold's side clinched their passage to the last 16 on Tuesday night when China's Guangzhou Evergrande defeated Pohang Steelers of South Korea, leaving both sides unable to overhaul the Sky Blues' points tally.
Should Victory win their home tie with J-League heavyweights Gamba, 2-1 losers to Suwon Bluewings on Tuesday night, they will also progress.
Wu Lei of Shanghai SIPG and Nicholas Ansell of Melbourne Victory tread warily as they approach the ball. Photo: Getty Images
Victory will have a fortnight to prepare for the match.
Kevin Muscat's men looked comfortable as they searched for an opener, coming closest when Kosta Barbarouses rocketed a loose ball onto the corner frame of the goal.
Carl Valeri, on his ACL debut, helped Victory win the midfield battle but on 38 minutes they fell victim to a sucker punch.
Wu Lei, who scored against Victory in their earlier meeting, again popped up at the back post to knock down a cross for Yu to tap in.
A minute later, Elkeson doubled their advantage.
Star winger Wu was again involved, crossing for the Brazilian striker to volley past a powerless Lawrence Thomas.
Despite the 65th minute penalty, Victory continued to push on and had some scoreboard reward when Geria cut back for Makarounas' finish.
Sven-Goran Eriksson's side would not be breached again, locking up top spot in Group G with the result.
AAP