On Thursday 25 August, Urawa Red Diamonds played in the AFC Champions League (ACL) 2022 East semi-final held at Saitama Stadium 2002, where they defeated Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors FC (Korea Republic) in penalties to reach their first ACL final in three years. SAKAI Hiroki was named player of the match with his involvement in two of Urawa’s goals.

The match-up between the two-time champions, both aiming for their third ACL title, was a nail-biting contest that went down to a penalty shoot-out after 120 minutes of play.

Urawa, who reached the top four with convincing 5-0 and 4-0 victories in both the round of 16 and the quarterfinals, entered the semi-final with the same starting line-up from the quarterfinals to build on their momentum and good form.

The opening goal came in the 11th minute, when Sakai and David MOBERG penetrated the right flank, before Sakai sent a cross towards the goal, which was converted by MATSUO Yusuke to give Urawa an early lead.

ITO Atsuki and Moberg came close to doubling the lead for Urawa, as the J.League side continued to apply aggressive pressure from the frontline while making quick transitions between offence and defence.

Jeonbuk, on the other hand, who played through 120 minutes in both of their matches in the knockout stage, made four changes from their quarterfinal match against Vissel Kobe, adding GUSTAVO to their starting line-up while keeping Modou BARROW on the bench. However, the Gambian striker, who played a key role in Jeonbuk’s 3-1 victory over Kobe, was introduced in the 34th minute in efforts to revitalise the offence.

In the 38th minute, SONG Min-kyu connected with a cross delivered by Barrow to strike a shot, before making another attempt in the 54th minute, this time carrying the ball into the opposing penalty area. This attempt made by Song induced a foul inside the box, rewarding Jeonbuk with a penalty kick, which was converted by PAIK Seung-ho to equalise the match.

With momentum on their side, Jeonbuk continued to create opportunities through counterattacks and long-balls, as Barrow and KIM Moon-hwan made attempts to threaten the Urawa goal.

In efforts to change the dynamics of the match, Urawa introduced OKUBO Tomoaki in the 62nd minute, followed by Kasper JUNKER, ESAKA Ataru, and AKIMOTO Takahiro in the 79th minute. Soon after being brought onto the pitch, Junker responded to a through ball sent by Okubo to strike a shot in the 82nd minute, followed by an attempt made by Moberg in the 90th minute, and the back-to-back shots taken by Esaka and Junker during additional time, but the Urawa side fell short from finding the back of the net.

After entering overtime, the deadlock was broken by Jeonbuk in the 116th minute, when HAN Kyo-won made a spectacular sliding effort to redirect the cross delivered by LEE Seung-gi into the net, giving the Korean side a 2-1 lead.

With time running out, Urawa captured the equaliser in the 120th minute, when Akimoto redirected the shot taken by Okubo with a header. Although the shot was saved by the goalkeeper, Junker was there to convert the loose ball, sending the match into penalties.

In the shootout, Urawa’s goalkeeper NISHIKAWA Shusaku came up big, making back-to-back saves to give his side a 2-1 lead after three rounds. After Jeonbuk missed their fourth spot kick, Esaka sent the goalkeeper to the wrong direction to convert his shot, giving Urawa a 3-1 victory, and a ticket to their first ACL final since 2019.

The final will be held in a home and away format on 19 and 26 February of next year, where Urawa will be looking to claim their third title, first since 2017, in a showdown against the West Division finalists, which will be decided next February.

Coaches and Players' Comments

Ricardo RODRIGUEZ, Coach (Urawa Red Diamonds)
It was another epic match. We were attacked by our opponents at times, but mostly on counterattacks, and even when we were down 2-1 we never gave up and fought until the end, which led to the play initiated by Sakai that sent the match into penalties. We had confidence in the shootout and so did Shusaku. Every player wants to start, but to me they are all important players, some are starters, some have a role to close out the game, and everyone played well today. We are grateful for the efforts of JFA and the J.League to host this competition at Saitama Stadium. It was a great effort by all of us to achieve this result. I am proud to represent Japan in the finals and I am proud of my players.

DF SAKAI Hiroki (Urawa Red Diamonds)
With this being a semi-final match between two clubs from Japan and Korea Republic, we all knew this was going to be a very tough match. It sure did turn out to be a difficult match for us, but we never gave up and literally fought until the 120th minute, which got us through to the next stage. I am very proud of this team. It was my competitiveness that kept me going at the end, which was something we all shared in common as a team. Everybody thought that I made the wrong decision when I made the transfer from Marseille, so I knew I had to prove myself, and this tournament was the perfect setting. Although we have not won the title yet, we have now topped the East division, and I would like to thank my teammates.

MF ITO Atsuki (Urawa Red Diamonds)
I feel like we were able to showcase the strengths of Urawa Red Diamonds in this match. We knew our opponents were going to rally back once we took the early lead, so we were prepared to fight patiently as a team. The penalty call came from a very close play, but we managed to keep our composure even after that play. Although the match went all the way to a penalty shootout, I am glad we were able to win.

FW Kasper JUNKER (Urawa Red Diamonds)
As a striker you have to capitalise on the few opportunities you are given, and although I missed a big chance at the end of the second half, I am very happy that I was able to convert the next one and contribute to the team’s victory. I didn’t have much angle, but it is my job to convert those loose balls, so I am glad I was able to score. I was a bit nervous when taking the spot kick, but that tense feeling helped me sharpen my senses. The final will be held in February of next year, which is a bit unorthodox, but it gives us time to prepare, so we hope to make the most of the time we are given.

KIM Sang-sik, Coach (Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors FC)
The team gave their best through the tough match schedule of the group stage held in Vietnam and through the K.League fixtures. It is unfortunate that we lost in the semi-finals in a penalty shootout, and I want to apologise to our fans and supporters. I personally have a poor track record in penalty shoot-outs, having lost a penalty shoot-out here in 2007 when I was a player. The players were also nervous playing in front of Urawa’s large crowd, so we really wanted to finish the match without having to go through the shootout. It has been a tough experience for the players, but I thank them for giving their best efforts.

Tournament Information