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Ulsan fall to Yokohama 5-4 on penalties in AFC Champions League semis exit

Published: 25 Apr. 2024, 12:35 Updated: 25 Apr. 2024, 17:34

PAIK JI-HWAN
[email protected]

Ulsan HD players, in white, in action, during the second leg of the 2023-24 AFC Champions League semifinals against Yokohama F. Marinos at International Stadium Yokohama in Japan on Wednesday. [AFC]

Ulsan HD lost 5-4 on penalties to Yokohama F. Marinos after a 3-3 draw on aggregate in the second leg of the 2023-24 AFC Champions League semifinals on Wednesday, failing to reach the finals for the first time since 2020.

Ulsan went into the match at International Stadium Yokohama in Japan on the back of a 1-0 lead in the first leg, but a sloppy defense by center-backs Kim Young-gwon and Hwang Seok-ho allowed a goal in the 13th minute.

The two stalled, failing to clear the ball quickly inside the penalty area, each waiting for the other to do the job, leading Asahi Uenaka to snatch the ball and find the back of the net.

Ulsan's defenders also did not put enough pressure on the Marinos forwards, allowing them to progress build-ups effectively that saw them record shots in dangerous positions.

The goal by Anderson Lopes in the 21st minute was exactly the result of that. Ulsan players allowed the Marinos to possess the ball long enough in Ulsan territory while unmarking Lopes, who had all the space inside the penalty box to score a goal.

Ulsan were unable to create solid chances, losing the ball during their build-ups in their own territory and allowing Uenaka to score his second goal to make it 3-0 — 3-1 on aggregate — by the 30th minute.

What looked like a one-sided match, however, saw a turnaround with Ulsan putting one back with a goal by Matheus Sales from a corner in the 35th minute, followed by a penalty from Darijan Bojanic in the 42nd minute, leveling the aggregate score.

Ulsan had the advantage in the second half thanks to a red card against defender Takumi Kamijima, who gave away the penalty with a handball.

Ulsan displayed pace in attack with fullback Seol Young-woo making solid crosses on the right side, but they still could not capitalize on vulnerabilities in Marinos’ defense.

The goal scored by Bojanic in the 46th minute was canceled after a VAR review, as his teammate Gustav Ludwigson was called offside, blocking the view of goalkeeper William Popp when Bojanic took a shot.

The 3-3 aggregate score through the end of extra time forced a penalty shootout.

It was Ulsan midfielder Kim Min-woo’s turn after four players from both sides had all scored penalties, but his shot was blocked, while Dudu scored and won the penalties 5-4 for the Marinos.

The Yokohama F. Marinos celebrate after winning a penalty shoot-out against Ulsan HD during the second leg of the 2023-24 AFC Champions League semifinals at the International Stadium Yokohama in Japan on Wednesday. [AFC]

Despite Wednesday’s loss, Ulsan still secured a ticket to the newly-expanded Club World Cup through this season’s Champions League run.

Ulsan jumped to second place on the AFC rankings after a 1-0 win over the Marinos in the first leg last week and earned one of the four spots open to Asian teams for the upcoming 32-team Club World Cup.

The tournament previously included only seven teams — the six winners from each continental tournament and league winners of the Club World Cup host country — but has been hugely expanded for next year.

The previous two Champions League winners, 2022 champions Al-Hilal of Saudi Arabia and 2023 winners Urawa Red Diamonds of Japan, have already booked their spots in the tournament.

The team with the highest AFC club standings over the last four years joins the Club World Cup, alongside the previous three Champions League winners.

On the other side of the semifinal bracket, Al Ain of the United Arab Emirates lost 2-1 to Al-Hilal but still reached the final with a 5-4 win on aggregate.

The home-and-away format final between Al Ain and the Marinos will take place on May 11 and May 25. The first leg will kick off at the International Stadium Yokohama in Japan.

BY PAIK JI-HWAN [[email protected]]