Jasir Asani (C) and Gwangju teammates celebrate after scoring lone goal of their ACL Elite match against Shanghai Shenhua in Gwangju, South Korea, November 27, 2024. /CFP
Substitute Jasir Asani scored with his first touch to secure Gwangju FC a 1-0 victory over Shanghai Shenhua, keeping the South Koreans second in the Asian Champions League league phase. Asani, the competition's top scorer with seven goals, fired a low drive past goalkeeper Bao Yaxiong in the 58th minute, just moments after replacing Oh Hu-seong. "I told the coach I would score with my first touch,”Asani said. "I need to score more to help the team.”
Yokohama F. Marinos moved into third with a 2-0 win over Pohang Steelers, overtaking Kawasaki Frontale. Yan Matheus scored before the break, and Anderson Lopes added a late penalty following a foul on Ken Matsubara. Marinos goalkeeper Hiroki Iikura saved a Pohang penalty in stoppage time to preserve the clean sheet.
Both Gwangju and Marinos trail Japan's Vissel Kobe, who lead the race for one of East Asia's eight spots in the last 16. Shanghai Shenhua sit sixth, level on seven points with Thailand's Buriram United but ahead on goal difference.