Yokohama F. Marinos have secured a spot in the 2023-24 AFC Champions League final after a thrilling victory over Ulsan HD. Despite facing a one-goal deficit from the first leg, Marinos managed to turn the tie around with a 3-2 win in the return encounter, sending the match into extra-time and eventually penalties.
The game was filled with drama as Marinos raced into a 3-0 lead within the first half-hour, courtesy of goals from Asahi Uenaka and Anderson Lopes. However, Ulsan fought back, leveling the scores on aggregate after a goal from Matheus Sales and a penalty converted by Darijan Bojanic following a red card for Marinos' Takumi Kamijima.
Despite being a man down, Marinos held firm defensively, with goalkeeper William Popp making crucial saves to keep Ulsan at bay. The match eventually went to a penalty shootout, where Popp's heroics continued as he saved a crucial spot-kick to help Marinos secure a 5-4 victory.
This historic win sees Marinos reach the AFC Champions League final for the first time since 1989-1990 when they were known as Nissan Yokohama. They will now face Al Ain in a two-legged final on May 11 and 25, with the Emirati outfit having defeated Al Hilal in the West Asia Zone semi-final.
Despite their domestic success, with seven league titles and a consistent presence in the top tier of Japanese football, Marinos have struggled to make an impact on the continental stage. This achievement marks a significant milestone for the club, who have never advanced past the round of 16 in the ACL era.
As Japan's rich history in Asian club football includes six continental champions, Marinos' journey to the final highlights their resilience and determination. The upcoming final against Al Ain will pose a tough challenge, but Marinos have shown that they are capable of overcoming adversity to make their mark on the continental stage.
