Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Kashiwa: Yusuke Kobayashi scored the crucial goal just after the hour mark as former semi-finalists Kashiwa Reysol from Japan secured a return to the quarter-finals of the AFC Champions League on away goals despite losing Tuesday’s last 16 second leg 2-1 to Korea Republic’s Suwon Samsung.
Jong Tae-se and Ku Ja-ryong scored in either half for two-time continental champions Suwon to erase last week’s 3-2 deficit from the first leg.
But with Kobayashi (pictured, right) netting six minutes after the hour mark at Hitachi Kashiwa Stadium, 2013 semi-finalists Kashiwa will take their place in the June 18 quarter-final draw after prevailing on away goals following a 4-4 draw on aggregate.
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Looking to overturn a 3-2 deficit from last week’s first leg at home, Suwon started brightly needing to at least score two goals but were dealt a blow inside the first 10 minutes as captain Yeom Ki-hun suffered an injury following a collision and was eventually replaced by Seo Jung-jin.
And it was Kashiwa who created the first real chance after 19 minutes as Brazilian Cristiano ghosted in at the far post only to see his close range header blocked by Suwon goalkeeper Jung Sung-ryong at his near post.
Suwon levelled the tie after 26 minutes as replacement captain Jong showed superb individual control just inside the edge of the Kashiwa penalty area from Yang Sang-min’s long ball forward before rifling a rising strike past goalkeeper Takanori Sugeno.
Kashiwa came close to an instant response as Cristiano saw his header from a corner two minutes later cleared off the line by Kwon Chang-hoon before the Brazilian's low deflected shot was palmed away by Suwon goalkeeper Jung nine minutes before half-time.
The visitors resumed control of the contest at the start of the second half and doubled their advantage six minutes before the hour mark to move ahead in the tie as Ku netted from close range at the second attempt after Kashiwa had failed to clear Seo’s corner.
Now needing to score, Kashiwa stepped up their pressure and found the response after 66 minutes as Kobayashi followed up from inside the area after Leandro had initially been denied twice by the Suwon defence.
Suwon pressed for a third goal in the closing stages which would have seen the visitors reclaim the lead in the tie, but Kashiwa held firm to secure their progress.
Photo: WSG