*This content was translated by AI.
Vissel Kobe striker Yuya Osako (36), who eliminated FC Seoul, recalled losing to Gwangju FC last year.
Seoul lost 1-2 in the second leg of the round of 16 of the "2025-2026 Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Champions League Elite" against Vissel Kobe at Misaki Park Stadium in Kobe, Japan on the 11th.
Seoul, which lost 0-1 at home in the first round, failed to advance to the quarterfinals with a combined score of 1-3.
The K-League received a disappointing report card that did not reach the quarterfinals of the tournament. Earlier, Ulsan HD was eliminated from the league stage, Gangwon FC was eliminated from the round of 16, and all three K League 1 teams have suffered so far this Seoul.
Seoul scored the first goal in the 20th minute of the first half to take the lead. Song Min-gyu saved Jung Seung-won's cross over two defenders, and Klimala finished it with her head to tie the score 1-1.
However, Kobe's strong counterattack began in the second half. Kobe put striker Osako on the bench and set up a winning move. Eventually, in the 33rd minute of the second half, Osako, who received a cross from Muto Yoshinori, scored an equalizer. Seoul, which lost its momentum, even contributed a come-from-behind net to Yosuke Ideguchi in the 44th minute of the second half when goalkeeper Koo Sung-yoon made a fatal pass mistake.
Osako, who led the victory, said in an interview with Japan's "Gekisaka" after the game, "As I was put in the second half, I vowed to score a goal unconditionally."
In particular, he recalled the memory of losing to Gwangju FC in the round of 16 at last year's tournament with a combined score and said, "I had a bitter experience last year. I want to prove Kobe is a strong team," he said with strength. Despite playing as a bench member due to recent injuries, he played a decisive role in the revenge match against the Korean team.
As a result of this tournament, Japanese media are shedding light on the strength and superior performance of J-League teams. On the other hand, the K-League faces a painful reality.
Seoul coach Kim Ki-dong has already mentioned that the J-League's transition to offense and defense is better than the K-League after the first game. He said, "With this speed of offense and defense conversion, the gap would have widened if it had been in the K League. The Japanese team's speed of going down and attack is faster than the K-League. They don't give me much space," he said.
"Captain" Kim Jin-soo also recognized the fast speed and detail of the J-League team immediately after the first game. "I can't judge the J-League or the Japanese players perfectly, but I thought the air defense balance was good in the game against Kobe or Sanfrecce Hiroshima. When the long ball came, the players responded quickly," he said. He said, "It's just the opponent, but there's something to learn. I should do this part well, too," he added.
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*This content was translated by AI.
