ع
The Qatar News Agency reported that Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors secured a 2-1 victory over Kashiwa Reysol in their first outing of the AFC Champions League Elite league phase. The South Korean club overturned a halftime deficit through two second-half goals at a packed Jeonju World Cup Stadium. Match officials confirmed the result shortly after the final whistle on September 16 as part of the expanded East Zone competition. According to detailed accounts from the Asian Football Confederation, the fixture marked an important start for both sides in the new season format.
Kashiwa Reysol took the lead in the 30th minute when Kenshin Yuba found the net with a low driven shot from inside the penalty area. Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors responded three minutes into the second half as Tiago Orobó headed home a cross from Kim Tae-hwan after a collision between the visiting goalkeeper and defender. Italo, introduced as a substitute in the 65th minute, produced the winner four minutes later with a solo run and curling right-footed finish from the edge of the box that beat the keeper at the far post.
Star News Korea reported that Jeonbuk coach Jung Jeong-yong made no changes at halftime but adjusted tactics to regain control of the contest. Speaking after the match, Jung said the approach had matched his expectations and he was grateful to the squad for delivering the result. Tiago Orobó told the outlet that the team had prepared thoroughly after identifying Kashiwa Reysol’s preference for ball possession and successfully executed planned moves on the field.
The AFC Champions League Elite now operates with a league phase of 12 teams per region, where each side plays a series of matches and only the top eight advance to the knockout rounds according to the Asian Football Confederation. Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors, who have claimed the continental title twice in its previous guise, collected three points while Kashiwa Reysol started with a loss. ESPN statistics from the fixture showed Jeonbuk prevailing despite 36 percent possession against the Japanese side’s 64 percent.
Sofascore data indicated Jeonbuk registered three shots on target to Kashiwa Reysol’s two, with a disallowed goal for the visitors in the second half after a VAR check. Three Jeonbuk players received yellow cards in the final 10 minutes for time-wasting, unsportsmanlike conduct and arguing with officials. The result leaves Jeonbuk in the upper half of the early East Zone table while Kashiwa Reysol sit near the bottom after one round of fixtures.
This outcome arrives as Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors seek to build on a solid domestic standing in the K League where they occupied third place prior to the international break. Kashiwa Reysol will aim to recover points in upcoming league phase games against other regional opponents. The Asian Football Confederation has scheduled further matches across the week to complete the first round of the competition.
