When the Yokohama Mariners won the second leg of the AFC Champions League semi-finals with 10 men and finally won through a penalty shootout, this victory was not only the best illustration of the tenacious fighting spirit of the players, but also brought a thrilling visual feast to the fans. Next, let's take a look back at this dramatic match.
1. The twin cannons of Asahi and López are the icing on the cake
As soon as the match began, Yokohama Mariners showed a strong desire to attack. In the 13th minute, Asahi Uechu was the first to break the deadlock for his team, and his goal gave Yokohama Mariners a dream start. And just seven minutes later, López scored another goal to extend the score to 2-0. These two goals not only showed the attacking power of Yokohama Marino's frontcourt, but also highlighted the team's efficiency in quick counter-attacks.
The climax of the game is far from coming. In the 30th minute, Asahi Uechu stepped up again, and he scored twice to make the score 3-0. At this point, the Yokohama Mariners seem to have won the game, but the charm of the game lies in its uncertainty and drama.
2. The red card crisis and Ulsan Hyundai's counterattack
Just when Yokohama Mariners fans thought the game would be won smoothly, the situation on the field changed abruptly. An uncool act by Takumi Ueshima led to a red card and a penalty for his opponent. The turning point seemed to inject a shot in the arm for Ulsan Hyundai, who chased two goals in a row to close the score to 3-2.
At this moment, the Yokohama sailors were in an unprecedented predicament. They had to play more with less for the rest of the day, and they also had to face the opponent's crazy counterattack. But it is this adversity that inspires the players to be more tenacious.
3. The thrilling extra-time and penalty shootouts
After 90 minutes of fierce battle, the two sides went into extra time. Despite the best efforts of both sides, the score remained unchanged and the score remained 3-3 until the end of extra time. A brutal penalty shoot-out was inevitable.
In penalty shoot-outs, every player is under a lot of pressure. When the game reached the fifth round, the shot of the veteran Chinese Super League player Kim Yu-woo was deflected, which became the turning point of the game. The 10-man Yokohama Mariners won the penalty shootout 5-4 and advanced to the final with a thrilling aggregate score of 8-7.
Epilogue: Yokohama Mariner's championship journey
This match will undoubtedly become a classic battle in the history of the AFC Champions League. Yokohama Mariners showed tenacity and teamwork in an unfavorable situation, and they deserved the victory. This semi-final victory is not only an affirmation of the technical and tactical ability of the players, but also a tribute to their perseverance.
Yokohama Marino's next final opponent will be UAE side Al Ain, which will be a new challenge. But regardless of the outcome, Yokohama Mariner have already made a strong mark on this AFC Champions League event. Their performance not only won the respect and applause of the fans, but also added a strong touch to their championship journey.
I was very moved by the sportsmanship that was shown in this game. It tells us: on the football field, never give up until the last minute. Let's look forward to the Yokohama Marino's performance in the final!
What do you think of the thrilling victory for the Yokohama Mariners, and will they be able to do it again in the final?