Asian Champions League: Kawasaki Frontale and Ulsan HD Secure Wins

Kawasaki Frontale Consolidates Fourth Place

Home side Kawasaki Frontale enhanced their hopes of a place in the knockout rounds of the Asian Champions League Elite with a 4-0 thrashing of China’s Shandong Taishan. The Japanese side moved onto 12 points in the standings, consolidating their hold on fourth place and sitting one point behind Yokohama F Marinos, Gwangju FC, and Vissel Kobe.

Kawasaki’s Dominant Performance

Kawasaki went in front in the third minute when Marcinho shot past Wang Dalei after the Shandong goalkeeper had saved Yusuke Segawa’s left-foot strike. The Japanese side increased their advantage with four minutes left in the first half as Yuki Yamamoto bent his freekick around the blindside of Wang’s defensive wall and the China international was unable to scramble across in time to save. Brazilian defender Jesiel steered a 65th-minute header from Yamamoto’s corner to Wang’s right for his side’s third, and captain Shin Yamada added the fourth from close range in the 90th minute.

Ulsan HD Secures First Points

Ulsan HD launched a second-half fightback to down Shanghai Shenhua 2-1, earning their first points of the campaign. Goals from Yago Carillo and Kang Min-woo earned the former champions a win that saw them climb into 11th place above Australia’s Central Coast Mariners, who are eliminated.

Shenhua’s Defeat

Shenhua took the lead through Andre Luis’s 23rd-minute header, but Ulsan goalkeeper Jo Hyeon-woo was in stellar form, keeping his team in the game despite being second-best throughout the opening 45 minutes. Yago netted from the penalty spot to equalize in the 58th minute after being felled by Shenhua goalkeeper Bao Yaxiong, and Kang rose to head Ataru Esaka’s corner home eight minutes later to secure the win.

Asian Champions League Standings

The top eight finishers in the league phase from both west and east Asia advance to the knockout rounds. Currently, no team from the eastern half has confirmed their progress to the next phase. The bottom team in the 12-team standings is eliminated, with Central Coast Mariners being the first team to be eliminated.

Frequently Asked Questions

* What is the current standing of Kawasaki Frontale in the Asian Champions League?
Kawasaki Frontale is currently in fourth place with 12 points.
* Which teams have confirmed their progress to the knockout rounds?
So far, no team from the eastern half has confirmed their progress to the next phase.
* What is the current standing of Ulsan HD in the Asian Champions League?
Ulsan HD is currently in 11th place with 2 points.
* Who are the top teams in the Asian Champions League?
The top eight finishers in the league phase from both west and east Asia advance to the knockout rounds.