Kobe Scores Late Penalty to Salvage Draw in Asian Champions League

Kobe Scores late penalty to salvage draw in Asian Champions League

Vissel Kobe draws 2-2 with Chengdu Rongcheng, with Daiju Sasaki scoring a 90th-minute penalty, marking the end of coach Takayuki Yoshida's tenure.

Felipe scored again, converting a penalty with 13 minutes to go, but Kobe's Sasaki leveled the game with a penalty...

Vissel Kobe's coach Takayuki Yoshida got a less-than-ideal farewell, but his team managed to salvage a 2-2 draw with Chengdu Rongcheng in the Asian Champions League Elite. Daiju Sasaki scored a late penalty, securing a point for the hosts in the 90th minute.

Kobe had been on the back foot, but Sasaki's goal ensured they avoided defeat. Yoshida, who's been in charge for three-and-a-half years, led the club to J-League titles in 2023 and 2024. His departure was announced last week, and Tuesday's match marked the end of an era.

Yoshinori Muto scored an 18th-minute goal to put Kobe ahead, but Chengdu's Felipe equalized in first-half stoppage time with a long-range shot. The first half ended 1-1, setting the stage for a tense second half.

Felipe scored again, converting a penalty with 13 minutes to go, but Kobe's Sasaki leveled the game with a penalty of his own in the final minute, securing a 2-2 draw for his team.

Vissel Kobe's draw keeps them two points clear of Machida Zelvia in the eastern league phase standings. Machida, on the other hand, is riding high after a 3-1 win over Ulsan HD, with goals from Asahi Masuyama, Takuma Nishimura, and Oh Se-hun securing their victory.

Machida's win puts pressure on other teams in the league. Ulsan HD got a consolation goal through Um Won-sang, but it wasn't enough to change the outcome. The win moves Machida up the table, and they'll be looking to keep the momentum going.

[FULLTIME]

VISSEL KOBE 2-2 CHENGDU RONGCHENG

1-0 YOSHINORI MUTO(18')
1-1 FELIPE SILVA(45+1')
1-2 FELIPE SILVA(77')
2-2 DAIJU SASAKI(90')

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Draws for Johor DT and Buriram United

Johor Darul Ta'zim (JDT) drew 0-0 with Shanghai Port, with their Malaysian side's attack thwarted by a stellar performance from Chinese goalkeeper Chen Wei. Bergson and Nacho Mendez had chances, hitting the woodwork, but it wasn't their day.

Buriram United were held to a 2-2 draw by Gangwon FC, with a late penalty decision frustrating Mark Jackson's side. After being led by Mo Jae-hyeon's 33rd-minute goal, Ko Myeong-seok's header equalized for Gangwon, and they scored another to take the lead, before Buriram got a late penalty to level.

Suphanat Mueanta's 65th-minute goal put Buriram United ahead, but it was short-lived as Gangwon FC got a penalty, converted by Kim Dae-won in the 74th minute, to earn a point.

The draws keep the league phase tight, with teams battling for a spot in the top eight. The top finishers will advance to the last 16, and the quarter-finals, semi-finals, and final will be played in Saudi Arabia in April.