'Jeonju Crushes Kashiwa' Jeonbuk, 0:1→2:1 Thrilling Comeback... 'Thiago+Italo Back-to-Back Goals' ACLE Debut Victory [Jeonju On-Site Review]

*This content was translated by AI.

It was a thrilling comeback victory. Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors staged a comeback drama against Kashiwa Reysol (Japan) at home.

On the 16th, in their home match of the first stage of the 2026–2027 AFC Asian Champions League Elite (ACLE) League held at Jeonju World Cup Stadium at 7 p.m., Jeonbuk secured a 2-1 comeback win over Kashiwa thanks to back-to-back goals by Thiago and Italo.

Although they trailed after conceding the opening goal in the first half, they displayed sharp focus in the second half to turn the match around.

Jeonbuk deployed Thiago up front, with Lee Seung-woo and Lee Dong-jun positioned on both wings. The midfield was anchored by Kim Jin-gyu, Lee Young-jae, and Gam Bo-a, while the defensive line consisted of Kim Tae-hyun, Kim Young-bin, Cho Wi-je, and Kim Tae-hwan. Song Beom-keun wore the goalkeeper gloves.

Kashiwa controlled the early flow of the match. Jeonbuk showed numerical inferiority in midfield battles, losing initiative and resorting to hurried long passes forward. Kashiwa exploited Jeonbuk's defense based on high possession. In the 19th minute of the first half, Song Beom-keun delayed a goal kick, conceding a corner kick to the opponent.

Jeonbuk sought opportunities through counterattacks. In the 25th minute of the first half, Lee Young-jae received Lee Dong-jun's one-touch pass and rushed toward the goal; Thiago headed the subsequent cross but it went straight at the goalkeeper. In the 29th minute, Thiago attempted a right-footed shot from close range after capitalizing on an opponent's passing error, but it did not result in a goal.

Unable to overcome the crisis, Jeonbuk eventually conceded the opening goal. In the 30th minute of the first half, Yuba Genki penetrated into the penalty area and fired a low left-footed shot that slipped past Song Beom-keun's hands and curled into the far left corner of the Jeonbuk net. Jeonbuk ended the first half trailing 0-1.

As the second half began, Kashiwa made two substitutions to bring changes, while Jeonbuk started with their original lineup.

Jeonbuk succeeded in catching up. In the third minute of the second half, Kim Tae-hwan delivered a high cross from the right flank; taking advantage of a collision between the Kashiwa goalkeeper and center-back, Thiago calmly headed the ball into the net to equalize.

Kashiwa made two more substitutions in the 7th minute of the second half, including key players Segawa and Yusuke, to launch another attack. In the 10th minute of the second half, Lee Young-jae's powerful left-footed long-range shot struck the right post, leaving Jeonbuk with regret. In the 15th minute, a cross from Kashiwa's Kubo Daisuke was headed in by Segawa, but the goal was disallowed after video assistant referee (VAR) review, relieving tension.

In the 20th minute of the second half, Jeonbuk made their first substitution, bringing on Italo for Lee Dong-jun.

The substitution paid off just four minutes later. In the 24th minute of the second half, Italo received the ball on the left flank, used his signature quick speed to dribble past defenders alone, and curled a right-footed shot from near the penalty box into the far right corner of the net.

After conceding, Kashiwa brought on Hosoya Mao and launched an all-out attack. In the 33rd minute of the second half, Jeonbuk substituted out Thiago and Kim Jin-gyu for Motta and Dodo.

A dizzying situation in the final moments also passed. In the 41st minute of the second half, after bringing on Maeng Sung-woong for Gam Bo-a, Jeonbuk attempted to add Park Ji-su, but delays in the substitution process left Kim Young-bin returning to the bench first, causing confusion as they endured a numerical disadvantage for about one minute. Once Park Ji-su entered, the formation was restored.

Kashiwa's relentless assault continued during five minutes of added time in the second half, but Jeonbuk held firm by significantly increasing their defensive numbers. Maintaining a one-goal lead until the final whistle, Jeonbuk secured a comeback victory at home and earned their first three points.

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*This content was translated by AI.