Gangwon FC Clinches Thrilling 4-3 Win Over Vissel Kobe
Gangwon FC edges out Vissel Kobe 4-3 in a nail-biting AFC Champions League Elite match, thanks to Kim Gun-Hee's late winner.
Lee Sang-Heon gave the home team an early advantage with a decisive finish in the 7th minute...
Gangwon FC pulled off a stunning 4-3 win over Vissel Kobe in the Asian Champions League Elite, thanks to a dramatic late goal from Kim Gun-Hee. The South Korean side trailed not once, but twice, before ultimately emerging victorious.
Kobe had initially been on the back foot, conceding three goals in the first half to Lee Sang-heon, Mo Jae-hyeon, and Song Jun-seok. However, they staged an impressive comeback after the break, with Taisei Miyashiro scoring two goals and Jean Patrick netting one to level the score at 3-3.
In the end, it was Kim Gun-hee who had the last laugh, scoring in the 95th minute to secure a thrilling win for Gangwon FC. The victory marked a significant upset, ending Kobe's perfect start to the competition and sending shockwaves through the eastern league standings.
Lee Sang-Heon gave the home team an early advantage with a decisive finish in the 7th minute. Mo Jae-Hyeon doubled the lead just 14 minutes later, powerfully heading home a corner kick taken by Kim Dae-Won. The first half ended on a high note for the home side as Song Jun-Seok scored his team's third goal, sliding the ball through a crowded penalty area to beat Kobe's goalkeeper, Shuichi Gonda, with just over two minutes to halftime.
The home team's strong performance continued into the half, with their clinical finishing proving too much for the Kobe frontage. The opposition's defense struggled to contain the home team's attacking threats, ultimately conceding three goals in the process. Despite their strong start, the home team will look to maintain their momentum and secure a win in the second half.
Kobe's fortunes began to change after the break when Taisei Miyashiro was introduced. The Japanese international made an immediate impact, scoring within three minutes of the restart to reduce the deficit. The momentum shifted further in Kobe's favor when Jean Patrick headed in an equalizer just two minutes later. Miyashiro then sealed the comeback with a powerful shot, beating Park Chung-hyo to level the score at 3-3 with two minutes remaining.
Miyashiro's brace and Jean Patrick's goal turned the game on its head, giving Kobe a glimmer of hope in a match they had seemed to be losing. The Japanese side's introduction of Miyashiro proved to be a masterstroke, as he played a key role in their dramatic comeback. However, the match was far from over, as both teams pushed for a winner in the dying minutes.
Kobe thought they had secured a point that would keep them at the top of the standings, but Kim Gun-hee had other plans. The South Korean striker scored in the 95th minute, snatching the win for Gangwon and dealing Kobe a late blow.
In other action, Shanghai Shenhua finally tasted victory in the competition, thanks to a dominant second-half performance. Luis Asue broke the deadlock 12 minutes after halftime, heading in Joao Teixeira's precise cross from the right. Andre Luis sealed the win with a clinical finish, rounding off a swift Shenhua counter-attack just a minute shy of full time.
Ulsan HD maintains its position at the top of the eastern league standings with 7 points after three rounds. They hold a one-point lead over Vissel Kobe, who sits in second place with 6 points, while Gangwon FC trails closely behind. Ulsan HD's recent 1-0 win against Sanfrecce Hiroshima on Tuesday solidified their standings.
The top eight teams in the 12-team eastern league will advance to the knockout rounds, scheduled for March. The quarterfinals, semifinals, and final will take place in a centralized venue in Saudi Arabia in April. Teams are competing fiercely to secure a spot in the next stage, with several clubs still in contention.
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