Anderson Lopes scored a dramatic late extra-time penalty as Yokohama F Marinos scraped past Bangkok United 1-0 on Wednesday and 3-2 on aggregate to reach the Asian Champions League quarterfinals.
The 2022 J-League champions created plenty of chances without converting as the score remained level at 2-2 from the first leg in Thailand a week ago, but Harry Kewell's side made sure there is a representative remaining from Japan in this season's tournament.
"We fought from start to finish. We really wanted to get this win, and I have to praise the whole team," Lopes said after Marinos reached the last eight in the competition for the first time.
"I knew we'd never gotten this far, and we made history. We won't be satisfied here and will work as a team to get past the next round, too."
Marinos had the two best chances of the first half at Yokohama International Stadium, but left winger Elber's 19th-minute curling effort from the edge of the box fizzed just wide before the Brazilian's low long-range effort skimmed the post five minutes from the break.
The home side missed a huge chance in the 78th minute when Lopes' low curling effort was tipped onto the post by Bangkok keeper Patiwat Khammai, and substitute Jun Amano failed to put in the rebound. Former Arsenal man Ryo Miyaichi, who also came off the bench on the hour mark, failed to bury his header from point-blank range in the last action of regular time.
Marinos, who had 37 shots but only five on target in the match, kept probing in extra time and eventually made the pressure count when Yuhi Murakami, another substitute, had a cross blocked by the hand of Wisarut Imura, and Lopes sent Patiwat the wrong way from the spot to all but seal the tie.
"I think it was more frustration. We clearly dominated the game. We had our chances, but again, we just weren't clinical enough in the final third, which allowed Bangkok United the opportunity to maybe get a quick counter," Kewell said. "But I'm proud of the players and the fans because they drove us on."
Marinos will face Shandong Taishan of China in the quarterfinals.
Meanwhile, J2 Ventforet Kofu's surprise run in the tournament came to an end after they failed to overturn a 3-0 deficit from the first leg against Ulsan Hyundai, losing 5-1 on aggregate against the two-time reigning champions of South Korea's K League.
Kofu, the 2022 Emperor's Cup winners, were dealt an early blow at Tokyo's National Stadium, where Kim Ji Hyun tucked in a rebound off the post in the 11th minute to hand the visitors the lead.
Ventforet had some 27 shots but had to wait until the 88th minute to level as Kazushi Mitsuhira headed in a corner, but Joo Min Kyu tapped in the winner in the second-half stoppage time for Ulsan to claim a 2-1 win on the night.
"I'm sure all the people would've had the thought of Kofu not managing a single win, but our players overturned it, and it was really wonderful work from them," Kofu manager Yoshiyuki Shinoda said of their first ACL campaign. "I'm personally proud of them too."
Kofu could not use their home venue in Yamanashi as it did not meet tournament requirements, but the underdogs still topped Group H, winning three of six matches, backed by cheers from the fans of many other J-League teams.
"There were people who hung a banner reading 'Pride of J2.' We should have done more for such supporters, but we really felt happy," Mitsuhira said.
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Football: J2 Kofu beaten 3-0 by Ulsan in ACL round of 16 1st leg
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