June 17 proved a difficult start for Asia’s representatives at the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, as Japan’s Urawa Red Diamonds and South Korea’s Ulsan HD both suffered opening defeats in the expanded tournament.
Urawa fell 3–1 to Argentinian giants River Plate at Seattle’s Lumen Field, while Ulsan were narrowly beaten 1–0 by South African champions Mamelodi Sundowns at Inter&Co Stadium in Orlando.
Urawa’s match was marred before kickoff by a controversial gesture from stand-in captain Marius Høibråten, who refused to participate in the customary pre-match handshake with River Plate players. In contrast, his teammates—including Shusaku Nishikawa, Matheus Sávio, and Takuro Kaneko—completed the routine, leaving River’s Gonzalo Montiel and Germán Pezzella visibly puzzled by Høibråten’s snub.
Unfortunately for Urawa, Høibråten’s on-field actions would soon compound the tension. With River already ahead through a 12th-minute header from Facundo Colidio, the Norwegian defender underhit a backpass to goalkeeper Nishikawa early in the second half. Sebastián Driussi pounced, intercepting the ball and chipping it over the onrushing keeper to double River’s lead—though Driussi was later stretchered off after a heavy collision during the goal.
Yusuke Matsuo briefly revived Urawa’s hopes by converting a 58th-minute penalty, but River Plate sealed the win in the 73rd minute through Maximiliano Meza, taking all three points with authority.
Meanwhile in Florida, Ulsan’s encounter with Mamelodi Sundowns was delayed by an hour due to a thunderstorm warning. Once underway, it became clear the K League 1 side, coached by former Malaysia boss Kim Pan-gon, were second best for much of the match.
Mamelodi saw two first-half goals ruled out—one for handball and another for offside—but Iqraam Rayners’ 35th-minute finish ultimately stood and proved decisive. Ulsan’s only meaningful opportunity came in the 80th minute when Matías Lacava forced a save from Sundowns keeper Ronwen Williams, but it was too little, too late.
The result handed the South African side a deserved three points and left Ulsan with work to do in the remaining group matches.
Looking ahead, two more AFC clubs will begin their campaigns on June 18. Saudi Arabian powerhouse Al-Hilal face a daunting test against 14-time European champions Real Madrid at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, while UAE’s Al-Ain take on Italian giants Juventus at Audi Field in Washington, D.C.
With both Urawa and Ulsan now facing uphill battles, the pressure is on for the remaining Asian sides to carry the continent’s hopes forward in the tournament.