Japanese sides Vissel Kobe, Kawasaki Frontale, and Yokohama F. Marinos sealed their spots in the 2024/25 AFC Champions League Elite knockouts after registering vital wins this week.
Reigning J1 League champions Vissel Kobe delivered a dominant 4-0 victory over Chinese powerhouse Shanghai Port at Misaki Park Stadium on Tuesday. On the same night, Kawasaki Frontale, under newly appointed head coach Shigetoshi Hasebe, secured an emphatic 4-0 away win against South Korea’s Pohang Steelers. Completing the trio of Japanese triumphs, Yokohama F. Marinos edged past Shanghai Shenhua 1-0 at Nissan Stadium on Wednesday, joining their compatriots in the ACLE round of 16.
Vissel Kobe set the tone early, with Yoshinori Muto breaking the deadlock in the 11th minute after capitalizing on a defensive lapse to beat Shanghai Port goalkeeper Yan Junling. Early in the second half, Yuya Kuwasaki doubled the lead with a powerful strike that ricocheted off the underside of the crossbar. Just a minute later, Koya Yuruki finished off a swift counterattack to make it 3-0. Although Yuya Osako saw his penalty saved in the 78th minute, he redeemed himself moments later with a perfectly executed free-kick, sealing Vissel’s victory. The result cemented Takayuki Yoshida’s men at the top of the East Zone league phase with 16 points, ensuring their place in the round of 16.
In South Korea, Kawasaki Frontale overcame Pohang Steelers with a ruthless second-half display. Shin Yamada opened the scoring in the 38th minute with a well-placed header, setting the visitors on course for victory. Pohang’s challenge weakened further when Jonathan Aspropotamitis received a second yellow card, reducing them to 10 men. Kawasaki capitalized on their numerical superiority, adding three late goals through Yasuto Wakizaka, So Kawahara, and Erison in the final 15 minutes. The win secured Kawasaki’s place in the top eight of the East Zone league phase with 15 points, ensuring their progression to the knockout stage.
Yokohama F. Marinos, under new head coach Steve Holland, also enjoyed a positive start to life under fresh leadership. Facing Shanghai Shenhua, the Marinos found the breakthrough in the 20th minute, as Yan Matheus finished off a well-orchestrated team move. The narrow victory lifted Yokohama level with Vissel at the top of the East Zone league phase on 16 points, securing their spot in the round of 16.
Shanghai Port and Shanghai Shenhua’s defeats proved costly, as South Korea dark horses Gwangju FC also secured a place in the knockout stage despite their own 3-1 defeat to China’s Shandong Taishan. With Gwangju sitting fourth on 13 points and Shanghai Port languishing in ninth with just nine points, the latter is now mathematically unable to catch up to the South Koreans with only one matchweek remaining.