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Gwangju FC stun Vissel Kobe 3-0 to reach ACLE quarterfinals for first time

Published: 13 Mar. 2025, 11:08 Updated: 13 Mar. 2025, 16:58

PAIK JI-HWAN
[email protected]

Gwangju FC forward Jasir Asani, right, celebrates scoring during the second leg of the 2024-25 AFC Champions League Elite round of 16 against Vissel Kobe at Gwangju World Cup Stadium in Gwangju on March 12. [YONHAP]

Gwangju FC secured a historic spot in the AFC Champions League Elite (ACLE) quarterfinals on Wednesday, defeating Vissel Kobe 3-0 in the second leg of the round of 16, completing a 3-2 aggregate victory.

The K League club displayed strong attacking play at Gwangju World Cup Stadium, overcoming a two-goal deficit to force extra time and reach their first ACLE quarterfinals in their first tournament appearance.

Gwangju were relentless early on, troubling Kobe's penalty area multiple times, eventually breaking the deadlock in the 18th minute when Park Jeong-in headed in a free-kick.

A crucial second goal came late in the game, with Jasir Asani converting a penalty in the 85th minute to level the aggregate score.

Asani delivered again in extra time, firing a shot from outside the penalty area to seal the win in the 118th minute. The Albanian forward's brace not only secured Gwangju’s passage but also made him the leading scorer in this season’s ACLE with nine goals.

Asani’s impressive form mirrors his strong start to the 2025 K League 1 season, where he has already netted three goals in three games.

The victory marked Gwangju's first win over Kobe this season, following two 2-0 losses to the Japanese side in the league stage and the first leg of the round of 16.

Gwangju FC celebrate winning the second leg of the 2024-25 AFC Champions League Elite round of 16 against Vissel Kobe at Gwangju World Cup Stadium in Gwangju on March 12. [YONHAP]

Gwangju now stands as the sole K League representative in the ACLE, after both Ulsan HD and Pohang Steelers were eliminated in the league stage.

The southern club has already earned $1.8 million in prize money from their ACLE run this season, significantly more than the K League 1 winner’s prize of 500 million won ($344,000). Reaching the semifinals would secure Gwangju an additional $600,000.

The ACLE champions will walk away with $10 million in prize money.

With the ongoing ACLE and the K League 1 season underway, Gwangju faces a packed schedule. The ACLE quarterfinals are set for April 25-26, with Gwangju awaiting their next opponent.

The semifinals will follow from April 29-30, with the final scheduled for May 4 at King Abdullah Sports City in Saudi Arabia.

An ACLE season runs over two calendar years from September to the following May, while a K League campaign runs with a one-year calendar format running from February or March to November.

A potential ACLE title would be the club's highest achievement, as Gwangju has previously won K League 2 titles in 2019 and 2022. It would also be the first time a K League club has claimed the ACLE trophy since Ulsan in 2020.

Winning the ACLE title would make Gwangju the sixth K League team to lift the trophy, following Pohang Steelers, Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors, Ulsan, Seongnam FC and Busan IPark, which have a combined 12 ACLE titles — the most by any country. Japan ranks second with eight titles, followed by Saudi Arabia with six.

Before the quarterfinals, Gwangju will face Gimcheon Sangmu in the K League 1 on Sunday.

Updated, March 13: Added details about the ACLE prize money and past performances of K League teams in the tournament.

BY PAIK JI-HWAN [[email protected]]