AFC Champions League: Suwon Bluewings Reach Quarters with Comeback Win

Doha, December 08 (QNA) - Suwon Samsung Bluewings came from behind on Monday to beat Yokohama F. Marinos 3-2, in the match played at Khalifa International Stadium as part of the AFC Champions League round of 16. The win sealed Bluewings' qualification to the quarter-finals. The Japanese side, however, opened the scoring in 20th minute following a quick break. Right-back Ken Matsubara interrupted a cross-field pass and fed club captain Takuya Kida in the centre circle. Kida supplied a perfectly weighted forward pass for Nakagawa to latch onto down the right and cross for Erik who stabbed home the opener. The leveller arrived in the 57th minute when club captain Kim Min-woo found Kim Tae-hwan whose stepovers helped him get past his marker and unleash a powerful left-footed drive that nestled into the back of the net. The second goal for the Korean side came in the 82nd minute when Kim Min-woo exchanged a one-two with Kim Gun-hee whose backheeled return pass sent the Suwon Samsung Bluewings talisman through the Japanese defence, allowing Kim Min-wook to slot home through the goalkeepers legs to turn the tables. The AFC website said Suwon Samsung Bluewings sealed their quarter-final berth in style as Han Suk-jong scored the pick of the goals three minutes from time. The midfielder spotted an opportunity and took matters into his own hands, stealing possession at the halfway line and lobbing the goalkeeper from all of 50 yards. Yokohama F. Marinos were offered a glimmer of hope in added time when substitutes Jun Amano and Ado Onaiwu combined with Amano sending a pinpoint cross from deep for the number 45 whose diving header beat the Korean goalkeeper. That goal proved only a consolation at the end. Suwon Samsung Bluewings completed the quartet of teams in the 2020 AFC Champions League (East), joining Beijing FC, Ulsan Hyundai and Vissel Kobe in the next stage. (QNA)