Melbourne City’s winning form continues in the AFC Champions League

Melbourne City’s hopes of reaching the AFC Champions League knockout stages have improved with another Group G win.

Melbourne City goalscorers Andrew Nabbout (left) and Carl Jenkinson embrace. Picture: Thananuwat Srirasant/Getty Images

Back-to-back AFC Champions League wins have moved Melbourne City a step closer to qualifying for the competition’s knockout stages.

Having beaten Filipino club United City 3-0 earlier this week, the A-League champions continued their winning form with a 2-1 defeat of South Korean outfit Jeonnam Dragons early on Friday morning.

City now has seven points from three matches to be sitting second in Group G behind Thai club BG Pathum United, who have the same amount points but have a superior goal difference.

Only the top team in each of the 10 groups is guaranteed a spot in the round of 16, but the six best second-placed sides – three each from the east and west regions – will also advance.

Andrew Nabbout celebrates after scoring for Melbourne City against Jeonnam Dragons. Picture: Thananuwat Srirasant/Getty Images

“Even though we’ve played all three teams, you never know what’s going to happen in the next game,” said Melbourne City coach Patrick Kisnorbo, whose side again meets Jeonnam on Sunday night in Thailand, where all Group G matches are being played in a centralised hub.

“We have to adapt to every situation that’s put in front of us. Come next game, who knows what’s going to happen and that’s the learning of this competition.

“We need to rest now and look at how we can improve. We’ve got another game in three days, so we’ll just look to improve on each performance.”

City’s latest win came courtesy of goals from former Arsenal defender Carl Jenkinson and in-form attacker Andrew Nabbout.

Jenkinson gave City the lead in the 12th minute before Jeonnam equalised four minutes later through Kyu-Hyuk Lee, whose shot beat goalkeeper Tom Glover at his near post.

However, City was quick to regain the lead via Nabbout, who scored what proved to be the winner in the 22nd minute of a sometimes fiery contest.

“We were very disciplined,” said Nabbout, who captained the team in the absence of benched regular skipper Scott Jamieson.

“We defended well, we held our structure well, and we didn’t waver at all in the game.”

Originally published as Melbourne City’s winning form continues in the AFC Champions League