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| ▲ In this AFP photo, Gustavo of Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors (L) celebrates his goal against Vissel Kobe during the clubs' quarterfinal match at the Asian Football Confederation Champions League at Saitama Stadium 2002 in Saitama, Japan, on Aug. 22, 2022. (Yonhap) |
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| ▲ In this Associated Press photo, Stefan Mugosa of Vissel Kobe (L) and Park Jin-seop of Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors battle for the ball during the clubs' quarterfinal match at the Asian Football Confederation Champions League at Saitama Stadium 2002 in Saitama, Japan, on Aug. 22, 2022. (Yonhap) |
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| ▲ In this AFP photo, Gustavo of Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors (C, No. 9) scores a header against Vissel Kobe during the clubs' quarterfinal match at the Asian Football Confederation Champions League at Saitama Stadium 2002 in Saitama, Japan, on Aug. 22, 2022. (Yonhap) |
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| ▲ Mo Barrow of Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors celebrates his goal against Vissel Kobe during the clubs' quarterfinal match at the Asian Football Confederation Champions League at Saitama Stadium 2002 in Saitama, Japan, on Aug. 22, 2022, in this photo provided by the Korea Professional Football League. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap) |
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| ▲ In this AFP photo, Song Min-kyu of Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors (R) tries to dribble past Tomoaki Makino of Vissel Kobe during the clubs' quarterfinal match at the Asian Football Confederation Champions League at Saitama Stadium 2002 in Saitama, Japan, on Aug. 22, 2022. (Yonhap) |
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| ▲ In this AFP photo, Yuta Goke of Vissel Kobe (top) jumps over Yun Young-sun of Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors during the clubs' quarterfinal match at the Asian Football Confederation Champions League at Saitama Stadium 2002 in Saitama, Japan, on Aug. 22, 2022. (Yonhap) |
football-tournament
Jeonbuk reach AFC Champions League semifinals with extra-time victory
By Yoo Jee-ho
SEOUL, Aug. 22 (Yonhap) -- South Korean side Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors reached the semifinals of the top Asian club football tournament Monday, thanks to a 3-1 victory over Vissel Kobe of Japan in extra time.
Gustavo headed in the go-ahead goal 14 minutes into extra period in the quarterfinals of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Champions League at Saitama Stadium 2002 in Saitama, Japan. Moon Seon-min then scored Jeonbuk's final goal into the empty net in the dying seconds, with Vissel Kobe goalkeeper Daiya Maekawa having ventured into the attacking zone for a desperate pursuit of the equalizer.
The semifinal match will be at 7:30 p.m. Thursday at the same Saitama venue. Urawa Red Diamonds and BG Pathum United were scheduled to play in the other quarterfinal match in the East Region later Monday in Saitama.
Jeonbuk have won two AFC crowns, first in 2006 and then in 2016. They are one win away from becoming the third straight finalist from the K League 1, following the 2020 champions Ulsan Hyundai FC and the 2021 runners-up Pohang Steelers.
The teams had few chances in the choppy first half but traded a goal apiece in the second half.
Vissel Kobe opened the scoring in the 64th, with the substitute Koya Yuruki slotting home the rebound after Yusei Ozaki's initial shot was turned aside by goalkeeper Lee Bum-soo.
But the lead lasted just two minutes, as Gustavo's through ball set up Mo Barrow's equalizer. Barrow outran Ozaki on the fast break and beat goalkeeper Daiya Maekawa through the five-hole.
Yuruki nearly put Vissel Kobe ahead in the 89th minute, when his right-footed shot from outside the box rolled just wide of the right post.
Jeonbuk responded at the other end in the next sequence, but Maekawa came up huge for Vissel Kobe, denying Kim Jin-gyu on a diving header and then stopping Kim Moon-hwan's mid-range shot to send the match into extra time.
Jeonbuk took the lead 14 minutes into extra time, as Barrow returned the favor to Gustavo. After taking a pass from Kim Jin-gyu on the left wing, Barrow curved a cross toward the goalmouth. Gustavo then jumped over defender Gotoku Sakai to head it home for a 2-1 lead.
Jeonbuk then tightened things up on their own end to hang on for the narrow victory.
Vissel Kobe forward Stefan Mugosa, a former K League 1 star with Incheon United, nearly headed in the equalizer during stoppage time of the second extra period, before Moon sealed the Japanese club's fate with the empty-netter.
This was Jeonbuk's second straight extra-time win, following their 2-1 win over fellow South Korean team Daegu FC last Thursday.
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