Tianjin Quanjian coach Paulo Sousa was left lamenting the absence of Axel Witsel and Anthony Modeste as his side suffered a 2-0 defeat in the first leg of their Asian Champions League quarterfinal against Japan's Kashima Antlers on Tuesday.

Goals form Brazilian duo Leo Silva and Serginho secured Kashima a significant advantage in front of their own fans.

Witsel left Tianjin this month to join Borussia Dortmund while Modeste is reported to be engaged in a contract dispute and was not selected...

Borussia Dortmund have agreed a deal for the transfer of midfielder Axel Witsel from Chinese Super League side Tianjin Quanjian, with the Belgium international becoming their seventh new arrival of the summer.

Dortmund's interest in Witsel was first reported by Funke Media last month, but Tianjin claimed a €20 million release clause in his contract could not be triggered because the Chinese transfer window had closed.

However, FIFA rules allow clubs from other countries to sign players until...

Tianjin Quanjian coach Paulo Sousa has said he expects midfielder Axel Witsel back in China this weekend despite reports linking him with Borussia Dortmund.

Earlier this week, Belgian broadcaster RTBF claimed Witsel, still on holiday after helping Belgium to third place at the World Cup, is close to a move to the German club.

The 29-year-old signed for Tianjin from Zenit St Petersburg last January, helping them to a first AFC Champions League qualification.

"There has been no news about his transfer...

Fabio Cannavaro is hoping his Guangzhou Evergrande side will come back from the Chinese Super League's two-month World Cup break mentally refreshed after the seven-time champions dropped further off the pace with a 2-0 loss against Beijing Renhe on Sunday.

Benjamin Moukandjo and Augusto Fernandez scored for the newly promoted side as Evergrande dropped five points behind leaders Shanghai SIPG, who defeated Jiangsu Suning 2-0 to return to the summit ahead of the finals in Russia next month.

Guangzhou...

Guangzhou Evergrande crashed out of the Asian Champions League on Tuesday evening as Fabio Cannavaro's side were eliminated by Tianjin Quanjian on the away goals rule following a 2-2 draw that takes the Chinese Super League side into the quarterfinals of the continental championship.

Ricardo Goulart scored twice for Guangzhou in front of their own fans at Tianhe Stadium but goals from Alexandre Pato and Wang Jie secured Tianjin's passage to the last eight for the first time in the club's history.

"Thanks...