South Korea’s Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors, the 2006 and 2016 champions, secured their place in the semi-finals of the AFC Champions League by beating Japan’s Vissel Kobe 3-1 on Monday after a 1-1 extension to the end of regular time. paint.
In the absence of veteran Spanish star Andrés Iniesta due to injury and with a seven-player change in a lineup that beat local rivals Yokohama Marinos 3-2 last week in the final price, Vissel Kobe believed he would continue the adventure into the continental competition. whose playoffs are taking place in the eastern region in the Japanese city of Saitama. And that was after he took the lead in the 64th minute through substitute Koya Yoroki with a close-range shot from goalkeeper Lee Beom-soo’s error.
But the joy of the Japanese team, who reached the semi-finals in their first participation in 2020, did not last two minutes, as Jeonbuk equalized thanks to the Gambian Mo Baru, who took advantage of a weak defense and penetrated the box before a shot between the legs of goalkeeper Daii Maekawa (66).
The result remained the same until the end of the original time, so that both teams resorted to a lengthening that smiled at the Koreans after they advanced in the 104th minute over the head of Brazilian substitute Gustavo after a Baro cross, before Moon Sung-min settled the final qualification of his team, scoring the third goal in stoppage time from the second overtime (2 + 120), from a quick counterattack, taking advantage of the advancement of all the players of the Japanese team into the opponent’s zone. looking for a tie.
Jeonbuk Hyundai beat compatriot Daegu 2-1 on its last legs after two extra games on Thursday in the round of 16.
It is noteworthy that the Western matches will be held in February 2023, and Al-Hilal will play with Al-Ahli from the United Arab Emirates, Al-Shabab with Nasaf from Uzbekistan, Al-Duhail from Qatar – with his compatriot Al-Rayyan, and Al-Faisaly with Foolad Khuzestan. Iran.
