In a thrilling encounter at Abdullah Al Faisal Stadium in Jeddah, Japan’s Vissel Kobe advanced to the AFC Champions League Elite semi-finals after a tense 5-4 win in the penalty shootout against Qatar’s Al Sadd, following an electrifying 3-3 draw.
The quarter-final clash, part of the knockout phase, unfolded with high energy from the start. Al Sadd opened the scoring early, as Rafa Mujica netted in the 6th minute, quickly putting his team ahead. However, Vissel Kobe responded robustly, with Yuya Osako equalizing in the 24th minute.
The second half saw Al Sadd reclaiming their momentum, with Mujica striking again in the 61st minute, and Roberto Firmino adding to the lead just four minutes later, putting Al Sadd in a strong position.
Despite facing adversity, Vissel Kobe executed a stunning comeback. Yosuke Ideguchi lowered the deficit in the 74th minute, igniting hope for the Japanese side. In dramatic fashion, Yoshinori Muto leveled the match with a goal deep into stoppage time, sending the game into extra time.
No goals were scored during the extra half-hour, leading to the crucial penalty shootout. Remaining calm under pressure, Vissel Kobe converted their penalties expertly, sealing a 5-4 victory and marking their place in the semi-finals.
Quarter-final action continues on Friday, featuring Saudi Arabia’s Al Ahli against Malaysia's Johor Darul Ta’zim, while Japan's Machida Zelvia faces Al Ittihad. The final match will take place on Saturday, with Shabab Al Ahli going up against Thailand’s Buriram United.
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