Today’s Friday recap focuses on Vissel Kobe’s dramatic victory over Al Sadd in a penalty shootout and on the two quarterfinal matches taking place today, featuring two Saudi teams that are under pressure to reach the semifinals—given their quality, investment, and, let’s face it, the fact that they’re playing at home and the competition is tailored to their interests.
Vissel Kobe did it against the odds
The match ended 3-3 after 120 minutes. The Qatari side took an early lead through Rafa Mújica in 6th minute, but Yuya Osako equalized in the 24th minute. In the second half, Mújica put Al Sadd back in front again in the 61st minute and Roberto Firmino extended the lead to 3-1 only fouyr minutes later. It seemed all but decided, but Vissel Kobe fought back with a goal from Yosuke Ideguchi in the 74th minute and a last-gasp goal from Yoshinori Muto in the 90+3rd minute forcing extra time and a penalty shootout.
In the penalty shootout, Vissel Kobe was more accurate (5-4) and celebrated advancing. Goalkeeper Shuichi Gonda was key in the shootout. With this result, the J1 League club becomes the first semifinalist from the East Zone and keeps Japan’s hopes alive in the continental competition.
Two saudis on the verge today
Al Ittihad vs Machida Zelvia
Al Ittihad’s Portuguese coach, Sergio Conceicao, highlighted the “fighting spirit” that led his team to eliminate Al Wahda and called for that intensity to be maintained. On the Japanese side, captain Gen Shoji, a 2018 champion, called for total focus: “A decisive match to make history.”
J.League sensation Machida Zelvia comes into the match off a solid campaign in the group stage and Round of 16. Al Ittihad, with its star-studded roster, is seeking its third continental title.
Al Ahli Saudi vs Johor Darul Tak'zim
Al Ahli Saudi FC, one of the top favorites to win the title, faces a tricky match. On April 16, at the pre-match press conference ahead of the game against Johor Darul Ta’zim, Matthias Jaissle was clear: “It will be a very tough match.”
The German coach acknowledged the Malaysians’ historic achievement in eliminating Sanfrecce Hiroshima in the round of 16. Roger Ibanez, for his part, called for “maximum concentration from the very first minute.”
Johor Darul Ta’zim, the reigning champion of the Malaysian Super League, is living a dream as this marks its first-ever appearance in the quarterfinals of Asia’s top club competition. Al Ahli aims to avoid any surprises and stay alive in its quest to defend the title it won last season.
All images created with Gemini AI.