Vissel Kobe shine in AFC Champions League, Ulsan edge win

Vissel Kobe secured a convincing 3-0 victory over Shanghai Port in their opening Asian Champions League Elite match. The Japanese side took control early, with Erik opening the scoring in the 19th minute with a strike from the edge of the penalty area. Erik then turned provider, delivering a precise cross for Taisei Miyashiro to head home the second goal. Just before halftime, Yuya Osako completed the scoring, finishing a move initiated by Erik and assisted by Gotoku Sakai.

In another match, Ulsan HD staged a late comeback to defeat Chengdu Rongcheng 2-1. The Chinese side took the lead just before halftime through Pedro Delgado, but Ulsan equalized in the 76th minute via substitute Um Won-sang. The match turned decisively when Delgado received a second yellow card in stoppage time, and Ulsan capitalized almost immediately with Heo Yool scoring the winning goal.

With these results, Vissel Kobe joined Sanfrecce Hiroshima, Gangwon FC, Ulsan HD, and Buriram United as winners in the East Asian opening round. The tournament format will see the top eight teams from the twelve-team group stage advance to the knockout rounds in March, with the latter stages scheduled to be held in Saudi Arabia in April.