"As expected, it was a tough game, especially in the first half after conceding," said Manzano. "But despite the difficulties, we didn't stay defensive and we kept attacking and we missed some chances.

"However, we were able to equalise with a penalty and it was a good game.

"But we are not celebrating yet as Jeonbuk are a strong side and we have a match next week in China, so we will not become complacent and we will look to win the game."

Beijing will host the second leg knowing a scoreless draw will be enough to put them in the draw for the quarter-finals as Chinese clubs continue to look to exert their growing strength on the continental scene.

"We came here wanting to win, as we want to win every game, but because we only had one defensive midfielder it was difficult," said Manzano.

"I am satisfied with the performance overall and the pressing was impressive and we were able to get the penalty kick and it was a good game overall."

Guangzhou Evergrande will also be hoping to continue their fine record of reaching the last eight in the AFC Champions League when they take on former winners Seongnam FC tonight.

Guangzhou, winners in 2013, have reached the quarter-finals in each of their previous three appearances in the competition and Fabio Cannavaro's side will be favourites to advance against a Seongnam side that have struggled to repeat former glories.

However, Cannavaro will not have striker Elkeson available with the Brazilian still recovering from a thigh injury while South Korean World Cup defender Kim Young-kwon is also sidelined. Brazilian striker Alan, is a long term absentee with cruciate ligament damage.

Cannavaro, who is in his first season as head coach after replacing Marcello Lippi as manager at the end of the last campaign, is confident his team can deliver a good result in Korea.

"We feel good because I trust my players," he said.

"I know I have some injured players, but I know if we try to do our best we can be happy.

"We have a lot of injuries as we don't have the international players Elkeson, Kim and Alan, so it is not normal, but I trust my team and even without these players we can have a nice performance.

"Seongnam are tough, they are Korean, and everybody knows Korean football.

"They are aggressive and the stadium is not very big so we know they can put us under pressure. But we have prepared for this game and we are ready for them," said the Italian.

"We know that we have two games and not just one and we know that we need to be clever and understand that qualification is not only down to one game.

"We know everything about them; I have seen the last four games.

"They work together, they have very good Brazilian players, and if they have reached this stage they have the quality."

Elsewhere last night, another of the four South Korean teams in the last 16, Suwon Bluewings, went down 3-2 at home to Japan's Kashiwa Reysol.