South Korea’s Ulsan cruised into the Asian Champions League quarterfinals on Wednesday after beating Japanese second-division outfit Ventforet Kofu 2-1 for a 5-1 aggregate win.
Kim Ji-hyun scored early in the first half and Joo Min-kyu added another goal in the final minute at Tokyo’s National Stadium to send twice-champions Ulsan through to face fellow South Koreans Jeonbuk in the last eight.
Kazushi Mitsuhira scored a late consolation for Ventforet, who was appearing in the Champions League for the first time after winning Japan’s domestic cup.
The result leaves Harry Kewell’s Yokohama F-Marinos as the only Japanese side left in the competition.
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Yokohama was set to face Thailand’s Bangkok United later on Wednesday for the right to face China’s Shandong Taishan in the quarterfinals.
Japan’s defending champions Urawa Red Diamonds was eliminated at the group stage.
Ulsan looked set for a comfortable evening after winning the first leg 3-0.
Kim made it even smoother sailing when he gave the Koreans the lead in the 11th minute, sliding in the rebound after Um Won-sang had hit the post.
Mitsuhira gave the Tokyo crowd something to cheer when he headed home Ventforet’s lone goal from a corner in the 88th minute.
But Joo restored Ulsan’s lead in the 94th minute, finishing off another cross from Um.
Late Lopes penalty moves Marinos into quarters
Anderson Lopes’ penalty in the 122nd minute earned Yokohama F Marinos a last-gasp 1-0 win over Bangkok United on Wednesday, sealing a 3-2 aggregate victory that moves the Japanese side into the quarterfinals.
Harry Kewell claimed his debut win since replacing Kevin Muscat as coach of the J. League side and his team will face Chinese Super League side Shandong Taishan in the last eight next month.
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In Yokohama, Marinos struggled to break down a defensively stubborn Bangkok United, who came within moments of taking the game to a penalty shoot-out.
The home side hit the woodwork twice, with Elber’s shot late in the first half clipping the post while Lopes’ curling attempt on the turn was expertly tipped onto the upright by goalkeeper Patiwat Khammai 12 minutes from time.
The Thai side survived several scares during extra-time until Wisarut Imura’s sliding challenge saw the ball hit the defender on the arm and, after a VAR review, Lopes eventually converted the winning spot-kick.
Later on Wednesday, Al-Nassr will take on fellow Saudi Pro League side Al-Fayha holding a 1-0 lead courtesy of Cristiano Ronaldo’s goal while Al-Ain of the United Arab Emirates meet Uzbekistan’s Nasaf after the pair drew 0-0 last week.
Saudi champions Al-Ittihad will meet Navbahor from Uzbekistan in Jeddah on Thursday following a scoreless draw in their first clash and Al-Hilal take a 3-1 lead into their second leg against Iran’s Sepahan in Riyadh.
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