Gwangju FC’s fairytale start to the 2024/25 AFC Champions League Elite continues as the South Korean debutants claimed another Japanese scalp, this time in the form of Kawasaki Frontale as they ran out 1-0 winners at the Todoroki Athletics Stadium on Tuesday.
Gwanju, who earned their way into the ACLE after a shock third place finish in last season’s K-League 1 in their first season back, endured a determined second-half effort from last season’s Emperor’s Cup winners Kawasaki to secure a slender yet potentially vital win, with Jasir Asani’s first-half penalty proving decisive. Gwangju’s second win from two ACLE matches lifted Lee Jung-hyo’s team to six points, while Kawasaki remained on three points after winning their opening game against Ulsan HD two weeks ago.
Gwangju began the match with intent, as Brazilian forward Gabriel Tigrao broke through Kawasaki’s defense in the 11th minute, setting up Heo Yool, whose shot was saved by Kawasaki goalkeeper Jung Sung-ryong.
The South Korean then shockingly took the lead after a mistake by Kawasaki defender Cesar Haydar, who brought down Kim Jin-ho within the area that prompted the referee to award Gwangju with a penalty. Albanian international Asani confidently converted, sending Jung the wrong way, adding to his impressive tally after scoring a hat-trick in Gwangju’s 7-3 win over Yokohama F. Marinos in the previous round.
Gwangju continued to press, forcing Kawasaki into mistakes. In the 26th minute, Gabriel set up Jung Ho-yeon, whose cross found Gabriel again, but his shot clipped the crossbar. Kawasaki struggled early but gradually found their rhythm, with Yu Kobayashi going close in the 34th minute and Daiya Tono testing Gwangju goalkeeper Kim Kyeong-min just before halftime. Kim continued to deny Kawasaki, including a crucial knee save from Yusuke Segawa’s close-range effort.
In the second half, Kawasaki pushed hard for an equalizer. Kobayashi had a goal ruled out in the 55th minute for a foul in the build-up, and Segawa’s header narrowly missed the target. Kawasaki’s best chance came in the 77th minute when Kim Kyeong-min saved a header from Erison, and the substitute’s rebound hit the post.
Despite their increasing desperation, Kawasaki were unable to break through Gwangju’s defense, with Kim making a vital injury-time save from Marcinho to secure a second consecutive victory for Gwangju in their debut AFC Champions League Elite campaign – a remarkable feat considering that Gwangju were playing in the second tier of South Korean football as recently as 2022.