Vissel Kobe AFC Champions League run continued in dramatic fashion as Vissel Kobe booked a place in the semi-finals after a 5-4 penalty shootout win over Al Sadd following a thrilling 3-3 draw.
The quarter-final clash, played at the Abdullah Al Faisal Stadium in Jeddah as part of the centralized knockout stage, delivered end-to-end action before being decided from the spot.
Al Sadd struck early through Rafa Mujica in the sixth minute, setting the tone for a high-tempo contest. Vissel Kobe responded in the 24th minute with Yuya Osako restoring parity.
The Qatari side regained control after the break, with Mujica netting his second in the 61st minute before Roberto Firmino extended the lead just four minutes later, putting Al Sadd in a commanding position.
However, Vissel Kobe staged a late comeback. Yosuke Ideguchi pulled one back in the 74th minute, before Yoshinori Muto delivered a stoppage-time equalizer to force extra time and keep the Japanese side alive in the contest.
Neither team could find a winner in the additional period, sending the tie into penalties. Vissel Kobe held their nerve in the shootout, converting five spot-kicks to seal progression and become the first team to reach the semi-finals.
The result underlines the club’s growing stature in Asian football, as they continue to push for continental success in the revamped AFC Champions League Elite.
The quarter-final stage continues with key fixtures involving Al Ahli taking on Johor Darul Ta’zim, while Machida Zelvia face Al Ittihad. The round concludes with Shabab Al Ahli meeting Buriram United.
With momentum on their side, Vissel Kobe now moves a step closer to a potential title run in Asia’s premier club competition.
–Input WAM
