DOHA (Qatar): Yokohama F. Marinos sealed their first ever qualification for the AFC Champions League knockout stage, eliminating Korea Republic’s Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors with a 4-1 win here at the Al Janoub Stadium on Tuesday.
A thunderbolt from Thai full-back Theerathon Bunmathan put Yokohama ahead before strikes from Marcos Junior and Teruhito Nakagawa, plus a Song Bum-keun own goal headlined a commanding second half display from Ange Postecoglou’s side.
Gustavo scored from the penalty spot for Jeonbuk, who will miss out on the business end of the tournament for only the second time in 12 appearances in Asia’s premier club competition, while Yokohama will have the chance to win the group when they meet Sydney FC on Friday.
More than nine months after dismantling the K League champions in Jeonju, and needing only a point to advance, Yokohama set about resuming their hold over Jeonbuk in a frenetic opening period.
Marcos Junior and Erik both sent efforts at goal over the bar, and there were several other nervous early moments for José Morais’ side as Yokohama found regular joy on both flanks.
It was a wide player, Theerathon, who supplied the opening goal, catching Jeonbuk off guard from a quickly taken free-kick before dribbling to the edge of the 18-yard box and hammering the ball into the net, with Song Bum-keun rooted to the spot as the ball flew in at the near post. (Source: AFC)
