Yokohama F. Marinos secured their historic berth in the AFC Champions League final, prevailing over Ulsan HD in a nail-biting encounter that culminated in a dramatic penalty shootout victory, ending with a 5-4 scoreline in Yokohama’s favor.
The match, held at Nissan Stadium, ended in a thrilling 3-3 draw on aggregate after the second leg of the semi-final on Wednesday. Ulsan had won the first leg 1-0 last week, before Yokohama returned the favor by beating the South Koreans 3-2.
The first half was a rollercoaster of action, with Asahi Uenaka netting twice and Anderson Lopes adding another goal to give Yokohama a commanding 3-1 aggregate lead. However, Ulsan fought back fiercely, with Matheus Sales nodding in a header and Darijan Bojanic converting a penalty to level the aggregate score, all while Yokohama was reduced to 10 men following Takumi Kamijima’s expulsion.
Despite intense play, neither side managed to break the deadlock in the second half or during extra time, setting the stage for a tense penalty shootout. Yokohama goalkeeper William Popp emerged as a hero, saving a crucial spot-kick from Kim Min-woo. Eduardo then capitalized on the opportunity, converting the winning penalty to secure Yokohama’s spot in the final against Al Ain from the United Arab Emirates.
The game unfolded amidst heavy rain, with Yokohama dominating early on, exemplified by Uenaka’s clinical finish in the 13th minute. Lopes and Yan Matheus continued to threaten, doubling the lead and extending Yokohama’s advantage further. However, Ulsan fought back valiantly, with Sales and Bojanic narrowing the gap just before halftime.
The match saw several disallowed goals, VAR interventions, and missed opportunities, keeping fans on the edge of their seats. In the end, Yokohama emerged triumphant, marking their first-ever appearance in the AFC Champions League final in a thrilling encounter that will be remembered as a classic in the tournament’s history.