Vissel Kobe Eliminated from Asian Champions League Following Stunning Comeback by Gwangju FC

Vissel Kobe were eliminated from the Asian Champions League Elite on Wednesday, as Gwangju FC staged a remarkable comeback to win 3-0 in South Korea, thanks to Jasir Asani’s extra-time goal, and secured their place in the quarter-finals with a 3-2 aggregate victory.

Asani found the net just two minutes before the end of extra time, propelling the South Korean newcomers into the last eight. Earlier, Park Jeong-in and Asani had scored during normal time to level the tie against the J-League champions.

The home team took the lead in the 18th minute when Park Jeong-in scored with a deft looping header from a free kick taken by Park Tae-jun, leaving Vissel Kobe goalkeeper Daiya Maekawa with no chance.

It wasn’t until the 85th minute that Gwangju levelled the aggregate score, with Asani converting a penalty after referee Abdulrahman Al-Jassim ruled that Takuya Iwanami had handled the ball.

Asani then clinched the win in the 118th minute, cutting in and unleashing a left-footed shot from distance.

“It was a really tough match, but I’m absolutely thrilled as it means so much to win 3-0 at home,” remarked Asani, who now shares the tournament’s top scorer title with Anderson Lopes, each having netted nine goals.

“I struggled to sleep for two days prior to this match because I was so focused on it; it’s been a challenging journey for us.“

Meanwhile, Kawasaki Frontale overturned a 1-0 defeat from the first leg against Shanghai Shenhua at Todoroki Stadium, dominating with a 4-0 victory that secured a 4-1 victory on aggregate.

Kawasaki got off to a strong start, taking the lead in the 24th minute as Asahi Sasaki unleashed an unanswerable shot past Bao Yaxiong, scoring at the near post from 18 yards out.

The home side extended their lead in a commanding second half, with Erison bagging the second goal in the 64th minute with a first-time finish from Sasaki’s precise pass over the backline.

Tatsuya Ito then slotted the third goal four minutes later, finding the gap between Bao and the defence, and Marcinho rounded off the scoring in the first minute of stoppage time from close range.

Kawasaki and Gwangju will join fellow J-League team Yokohama F Marinos, as well as Saudi Pro League clubs Al-Hilal, Al Ahli, and Al Nassr, in the quarter-finals, along with Qatar’s Al Sadd and Buriram United from Thailand.

The draw for the next round is set to take place on Monday in Kuala Lumpur, with the remaining matches of the competition scheduled to be held at a centralised venue in Jeddah.