Asia AFC Champions League

Vissel Brings High-Flying Gwangju Down to Earth

Goals from Taisei Miyashiro and Daiju Sasaki propelled Vissel Kobe to a 2-0 victory over Gwangju FC on Tuesday, ending the K-League 1 surprise packages’ flawless run in the 2024/25 AFC Champions League Elite. With this win, the reigning J.League 1 champions and current J1 leaders claimed the top spot in the East Zone standings.

Takayuki Yoshida’s team effectively neutralized Jasir Asani, the current top scorer of the ACLE, keeping him off the scoresheet despite his six goals from the previous three games. Vissel now leads the group with 10 points from four matches.

Miyashiro opened the scoring with a penalty in first-half stoppage time, while Sasaki added a second goal nine minutes into the second half to secure Vissel’s own unbeaten streak in the competition.

Missing key attackers Yuya Osako and Yoshinori Muto didn’t deter Vissel, as Miyashiro stepped up to deliver a standout performance. The former Kawasaki Frontale forward had an early opportunity in the 18th minute, narrowly missing the target after Gwangju struggled to clear a free kick from Ryo Hatsuse.

Another delivery from Hatsuse set up Brazilian defender Matheus Thuler in the 36th minute, but his attempt went wide. Sasaki also sent a header off target just before halftime.

Gwangju’s resistance finally broke in injury time when Miyashiro’s pullback hit Park Tae-jun’s arm, leading referee Mohammed Al Hoish to award a penalty. Despite slipping, Miyashiro calmly converted, putting Vissel ahead as the first half concluded.

Buoyed by the lead, Vissel pressed forward after the break. Kim Kyeong-min, Gwangju’s goalkeeper, thwarted Hatsuse’s free-kick attempt, but there was no stopping Sasaki, who capitalized on a rebound from Jean Patric’s cross to make it 2-0.

Sasaki had another chance in the 65th minute, breaking through the middle only for Kim to block his shot. Kim also denied Miyashiro a second goal late on, but Vissel still emerged with a well-deserved victory.