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March 13, 2024
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Yokohama F·Marinos have etched their name in history by reaching the semifinals of the AFC Champions League for the first time. This milestone was achieved after they secured a hard-fought 1-0 victory against Shandong Taishan in the second leg of the quarter-finals. With this win, they clinched the match. They confirmed a comprehensive 3-1 aggregate victory over the Chinese side, marking a significant achievement for the club in one of Asia’s most prestigious tournaments. This success reflects the team’s dedication and skill and highlights their potential on the continental stage as they build on this remarkable accomplishment.
In the initial leg held in China, the Tricolor emerged victorious with a 2-1 scoreline, thanks to goals from Anderson Lopes and Yan Matheus. This strong performance set them up perfectly for Wednesday’s second leg, where they enjoyed overwhelming support from their fans at Nissan Stadium.
As they did in the first leg of the quarter-finals, Marinos skillfully maneuvered through Shandong’s relentless pressing game, showcasing remarkable composure and technical ability in their passing, whether short, quick exchanges or longer, more ambitious balls. This adeptness allowed them to create several promising scoring opportunities in the opening 20 minutes of the match, where their attacking rhythm seemed to be in full swing. However, despite their strong start and the chances they generated, the Tricolor could not find the back of the net, which left them with a sense of urgency as they continued to search for that elusive goal.
Mirroring the strategy employed in the initial matchup, Shandong eventually pulled back on their aggressive pressing as they recognized the Tricolor’s growing confidence and effectiveness in breaking through their defensive lines. Instead of maintaining their high-pressure tactics, they prioritized ball possession, which allowed them to focus on launching crosses into the box and winning set pieces. This adjustment was beneficial for the visitors, as it put pressure on Marinos’ defense and forced goalkeeper William Popp into action, requiring him to make a few vital saves to keep his team in the match. However, despite these efforts, Shandong also needed help finding the back of the net, leaving both teams searching for that crucial goal.
The dynamics of the match changed dramatically just two minutes into the second half when Katsuya Nagato received a controversial red card for a late challenge on the ball.
With a player down, Marinos quickly adjusted their strategy, placing nine players behind the ball while leaving Anderson Lopes as their sole striker. Lopes rose to the occasion admirably, consistently taking on multiple defenders and creating opportunities for himself. He came close to scoring on two separate occasions within the first ten minutes following the red card.
Despite being reduced to ten players, the Tricolor maintained a solid defensive performance. They effectively kept Shandong at bay and forced them into long-range attempts that lacked precision.
With just 15 minutes remaining in the match, Marinos struck decisively as Riku Yamane joined the attack to support Anderson Lopes. Yamane delivered a stunning cross, allowing the Brazilian striker to unleash a powerful volley that struck the back of the net, sending the Tricolor into jubilant celebrations as they secured their place in the semifinals.
With a two-goal cushion, the atmosphere at Nissan Stadium reached a fever pitch as the clock ticked to 90 minutes.
When the referee finally signaled the end of the match, the crowd erupted in joy, marking Yokohama’s historic first journey to the final four of Asia’s premier club competition. Marinos are set to face Ulsan Hyundai in the semifinals, with the first leg scheduled for April 17 in South Korea and the second a week later in Yokohama.
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