John Hutchison’s Yokohama F Marinos have defeated Pohang Steelers to move into third place in the league phase of the Asian Champions League Elite, leaving them likely to qualify for the knock-out rounds.
In Wednesday’s other match substitute Jasir Asani scored with this first touch to earn Gwangju FC a 1-0 win over Shanghai Shenhua that kept the South Koreans in second behind Vissel Kobe.
The top eight in the east Asia zone qualify for the last 16 and with Kevin Muscat’s eighth-placed Shanghai Port on seven points Gwangju (12) and Marinos (10) are well set with three group stage fixtures left.
Goals from Yan Matheus and Anderson Lopes earned Hutchinson’s side, runners-up under Harry Kewell last year, a 2-0 victory in Yokohama.
Matheus rolled home a close range finish four minutes before the break after the hosts had been frustrated by Pohang goalkeeper Hwang In-jae. It took until stoppage time at the end of the game for Lopes to score the second.
The Brazilian struck from the penalty spot following a foul on Ken Matsubara by Lee Dong-hyeop. Pohang were denied a late consolation as Marinos goalkeeper Hiroki Iikura saved Kim Myeong-jin’s spot-kick with his legs.
Former Central Coast Mariners stalwart Hutchinson was made interim coach after Kewell was sacked in July.
Central Coast are also in the east zone group but are one from bottom with one point.
In China Asani, the competition’s top scorer, increased his tally in this year’s tournament to seven goals in the 58th minute when the Albanian smashed a low drive past goalkeeper Bao Yaxiong a minute after replacing Oh Hu-seong.
“I said to the coach if I come inside I will score with my first touch, the first goal because I feel I can have a chance to score,” said Asani.
“I need to score more to help the team take the three points.”
https://thewest.com.au/sport/soccer/hutchinsons-marinos-climb-into-third-in-asian-cl-c-16900929
