Paulinho scored a header to help Guangzhou Evergrande lead Sanfrecce Hiroshima 1-0 at half time in the third place match of the FIFA Club World Cup here on Sunday.
In the fourth minute, Gao Lin's weak shot from distance found Paulinho, who stood close to the post and headed it home.
Guangzhou had chance to increase their lead in the 28th minute, but Zhang Linpeng's attempt was deflected by a Hiroshima defender and hit the post.
Hiroshima nearly equalized just before the halftime whistle, as Takuya Marutani's shot beat keeper Li Shuai but was denied by Mei Fang in front of the goalline.
