Exhausted Jeonbuk does Korea proud in Asia
Jeonbuk Hyundai goalkeeper Lee Bum-soo, front, clears the ball during the AFC Champions League semifinal match against the Urawa Reds in Saitama Stadium, Japan, Aug. 25. / AP-Yonhap
By John Duerden
For the first time since 2019, there will not be a South Korean team in the final of the Asian Champions League, as Jeonbuk Motors lost to the Urawa Reds of Japan in the semifinal last Thursday. It was an epic game and ended in a penalty shootout. Despite the loss, the team from Jeonju deserves plenty of plaudits and respect for its efforts in the past week or two.
Due to travel restrictions in place, the second round, the quarterfinal and semifinal of the tournament did not take place in the usual home-and-away format but in a series of one-off games, all played in Japan. That meant three games took place in the space of a week for the Motors and it was a hard slog.
Jeonbuk's second-round game was an all-Korean affair against Daegu FC, one that the two-time continental champion was expected to win. That is what happened but only just. Jeonbuk dominated but it was 1-1 after 90 minutes. A goal from Kim Jin-kyu after 120 minutes sent the Motors into the last eight.
That quarterfinal came against Vissel Kobe just four days later. Once again, 90 minutes ended in 1-1, which meant another half hour in the August heat and humidity of central Japan. Jeonbuk won the game, this time 3-1, but it was another extremely tough evening.
There was no time to rest as there was a semifinal just three days later against the Urawa Reds. The Japanese team had enjoyed a smooth progress to the last four with a 5-0 and 4-0 victory against the Southeast Asian opposition. To help the Reds even more, the game would take place at their home of Saitama Stadium.
Urawa was the favorite then but once again, the game ended 1-1 at 90 minutes to head into extra time. Jeonbuk was exhausted but kept going and looked to have booked a place in the final after 116 minutes thanks to Han Kyo-won. Playing six hours of soccer in the space of a week in tough conditions with the last coming in front of a hostile crowd, it would have been a gigantic achievement. Then, right at the end, Urawa scored to make it 2-2 and then won the penalty shootout.
Jeonbuk was devastated. "We tried our best to make the final and I want to apologize to the fans that we didn't," coach Kim Sang-sik said. "The players are dejected and some of them were in tears but I cannot fault them as they played their hearts out, but it was not to be."
Kim talked of the challenging conditions his team faced. "The players were extremely tired, having had to play three matches which required extra time. They were also nervous as the Urawa fans were solidly behind their team and this affected my players."
Korean soccer should be proud however. Jeonbuk gave everything and almost succeeded despite everything being against it.
"Our Champions League dream may be over but we still have the K League and FA Cup and I am confident my players will deliver,” Kim said.
The league will be difficult. With Jeonbuk busy in Asia, Ulsan Horangi has been pulling away at the top of the standings but if the Motors show the same kind of spirit at home as they did in Asia then anything is possible.