Yokohama reaches Asian Champions League final by beating Ulsan in penalty shootout 5
YOKOHAMA, Japan (AP) — Yokohama F. Marinos advanced to the Asian Champions League final for the first time on Wednesday after a 5-4 penalty shootout win over against Ulsan HD of South Korea in a dramatic semifinal that ended 3-3 on aggregate.
The Japanese team’s 3-2 home win erased a 1-0 deficit from last week’s first leg and forced extra time and then penalties.
The five-time J League champion, coached by former Leeds and Liverpool winger Harry Kewell, will face Al-Ain of the United Arab Emirates in May’s final.
Yokohama raced into a 3-0 lead in front of its home crowd on a rainy evening at Yokohama International Stadium.
Asahi Uenaka reacted quickly to shoot home from close range in the 13th minute to level the aggregate scoreline. Anderson Lopes made it 2-0 eight minutes later and Uenaka curled home his second goal in the 60th minute to put Yokohama 3-1 up on aggregate.