There was a win, a loss, and a draw for the three MEIJI YASUDA J1 100 YEAR VISION LEAGUE sides in action in the AFC Champions League Elite 2025/26 and AFC Champions League Two 2025/26 on Wednesday, as Vissel Kobe won 1-0 away to FC Seoul, Sanfrecce Hiroshima fell to a 3-1 defeat at Johor Darul Ta’zim, and Gamba Osaka drew 1-1 with Ratchaburi FC.
Matheus Thuler struck the only goal of Kobe’s ACL Elite Round of 16 first leg in the 23rd minute at Seoul World Cup Stadium, arriving at the far post to head home after Rikuto Hirose’s corner was deflected into his path.
There were further chances for both sides in the first half, as Song Min-Kyu volleyed against the bar at a Seoul corner in the 25th minute and Kobe’s Daiju Sasaki saw a left-footed effort tipped over the bar two minutes before the break.
Kobe goalkeeper Daiya Maekawa made sure his side would take a one-goal lead into next Wednesday’s second leg at Kobe City Misaki Park Stadium in the 66th minute, saving Leonardo Ruiz’s penalty after a handball by Kento Hamasaki.
Things didn’t go as well for Hiroshima on the road at JDT, however, as they lost the first leg of their ACL Elite Round of 16 tie at Sultan Ibrahim Stadium.
The visitors went down to 10 men in just the 26th minute when Kim Jusung was sent off for a second yellow card, and Ager Aketxe gave JDT the lead seven minutes into the second half, curling in an unstoppable drive from just outside the area.
Bergson doubled the hosts’ lead when he prodded beyond Hiroshima goalkeeper Keisuke Osako in the 63rd minute, before Marcos Guilherme added a third as he wrapped up a lightning break with a crisp finish with five minutes remaining.
A late Nene own goal gave Hiroshima some hope heading into the second leg at Hiroshima Soccer Stadium next Wednesday though - the ball bouncing off the unfortunate defender and over the line after JDT goalkeeper Andoni Zubiaurre had saved from Hayato Araki in the 86th minute.
G-Osaka also know they have to win the return fixture of their ACL Two quarter-final next Wednesday, after drawing the first leg at home to Ratchaburi.
Daniel Ting opened the scoring for the visitors in the 18th minute at Suita City Football Stadium, curling a beautiful strike over G-Osaka goalkeeper Masaaki Higashiguchi after the ball broke to him on the left side of the penalty area.
G-Osaka threatened frequently as they went in search of an equaliser, with Deniz Hummet, Ryotaro Meshino, and Kanji Okunuki all going close before Gaku Nawata slotted ruthlessly into the top corner to level things up in the 84th minute.
