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| Gwangju World Cup Stadium/ 2024-2025 AFC Champions League Elite/ ACLE/ Round 2/ Gwangju FC vs. Visselgobe/ End of Game/ Gwangju Victory/ Gwangju Group Photo/ Photo by Seo Hye-min |
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| photo courtesy of the Korea Professional Football Association |
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It was a miracle. Gwangju FC defeated J-League's strongest Vissel Kobe and advanced to the quarterfinals of the Asian Champions League Elite (ACLE). Gwangju is the first city and province team to reach the quarterfinals in the ACL stage.
Kobe is the pride and strongest player in Japanese professional football, which won its second consecutive J-League title last year. Gwangju met at the league stage on November 5th last year and lost 0-2. Coach Lee Jung-hyo said at the time that if he gets against Kobe 10 times, he will lose 10 times.
His first step toward the round of 16 was also heavy. Gwangju lost 0-2 to Kobe in the first game held on the 5th. Gwangju invited Kobe to the Gwangju World Cup Stadium on the 12th. The current situation was that '1% chance, 99% belief' was hung on the field. It was more likely to be eliminated.
An incredible twist happened. Gwangju was overwhelmed. The game was brought to square one by winning the first and second half 2-0. The game led to extra time. Thirteen minutes into the second half of extra time 'Miracle Drama' became a reality. Asani's winning goal was scored, and he won the first and second games by a combined 3-2 to pass the gate to the round of 16.
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| Yonhap News |
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| Yonhap News |
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Director Lee said, `Today was a day where I felt like I could do anything. I was looking forward to seeing the players prepare for the game because their eyes and posture were different from before," he said, `I'm just proud of our players who won what I thought was impossible.' Asani is glad that he is a member of Gwangju, which writes history. I knew today was going to be a difficult game. I just wanted to enjoy it rather than be nervous. The coach came out in overtime and told our players 'I'm going to score goals unconditionally' and I think it's trust in me, so I poured out 200%' he was happy.
All the teams that advanced to the quarterfinals were determined. In East Asia, Gwangju, Japan's Yokohama Marinos and Kawasaki Frontale, and Thailand's Buriram United advanced to the quarterfinals. Yokohama and Kawasaki destroyed China's Shanghai Port and Shanghai Shenhua, respectively. Buriram won over Johoru Dada Takjim, Malaysia. Buriram enjoyed the joy of advancing to the quarterfinals of the ACL, the first ASEAN club.
Chinese professional football has been properly taught. ACLE was turned into a chaos due to Shandong Taishan's unexpected withdrawal. Shandong was scheduled to play the final league stage match against Ulsan HD at Munsu Football Stadium in Ulsan on the 19th of last month. However, he withdrew just hours before kick-off. Although the players said 'health reasons', it was argued that political issues had an impact.
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| photo courtesy of the Korea Professional Football Association |
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Shandong caused a big stir by appearing 'Chun Doo-hwan Photo' in a home game against Gwangju last month, which caricatures the pain of the May 18 Democratic Movement toward away fans. There were suspicions that he was concerned about the retaliation of Korean fans.
There was a hope that if Shandong's points were handled '0 points', Pohang Steelers would be able to take the position. If Shandong disappears, Pohang will be eighth.
However, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has decided to cancel all ACLE games this season, not Shandong's 'confiscation defeat'. There was no game in which Pohang defeated Shandong 4-2 at its home turf on November 6 last year. Three points were stolen.
In the case of Shanghai Port, the points were maintained due to the rule that their teams would not meet at the league stage. Pohang scored six points in seven games and Shanghai Port eight points in eight games. Pohang was eliminated, and Shanghai Port advanced to the 16. In the quarterfinals, all Chinese teams disappeared.
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| Reuters Yonhap News |
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ACLE will break down the East and West regions from the quarterfinals, and the East and West Asian teams will face each other. From April 25 to May 4, Saudi Arabia will decide the winner with a single-round match from the quarterfinals to the final.
It is a neutral area, but the composition is different. Three teams from Saudi Arabia advanced to the quarterfinals. Cristiano Ronaldo's Al Nasr, Hoobeng Neves' Al Hilal, and Ivan Toney's Al Ahli won the ticket to the quarterfinals. In the case of Saudi Arabia's teams, they are playing the quarterfinals tournament on their home turf. Qatar's Al Sadd won the last remaining ticket to the quarterfinals in West Asia.
The draw for the quarterfinals will be held on the 14th. Gwangju will meet a team from West Asia in the quarterfinals. The team could be Ronaldo's Al Nasr. The odds are 25 per cent.
This article was translated by Naver AI translator.
