Hiroshima beat Ulsan, finish fifth at CWC
J. League champions Sanfrecce Hiroshima came from behind to beat Asian champions Ulsan Hyundai 3-2 and finish fifth in the FIFA Club World Cup on Wednesday at Toyota Stadium in Aichi Prefecture.
Hiroshima midfielder Yamagishi Satoru cancelled out a teammate’s own goal in the 35th minute and J. League MVP and top goalscorer Sato Hisato struck two goals in the second half for his side’s victory in their first FIFA club tournament.
Following a 2-1 defeat to African champions Al-Ahly in Sunday’s quarterfinal, Hiroshima changed four of their starting players. Goalkeeper Nishikawa Shusaku was able to play after suffering a cut on his cheek during the previous game.
But the J. League champions were put under pressure by Ulsan early in the game and allowed the AFC Champions League winners to go ahead in the 17th minute when Hiroshima defender Mizumoto Hiroki’s clearance attempt ended up in his own team’s goal.
The Korean side, featuring seven former J. League players, went on to attack with attempts from former Gamba Osaka and Jubilo Iwata forward Lee Keun Ho and Korea international forward Kim Shin Wook.
But Hiroshima leveled the scores in the 35th minute. Sato’s header from a Morisaki Koji free-kick was blocked by Ulsan goalkeeper Kim Young Kwang and Yamagishi reacted sharply to tap in the equalizer from close range.
Ulsan attacked hard and Kim Shin Wook hit the woodwork in the 41st minute. In the 54th minute, Lee headed Kim Seung Yong’s free-kick goalward, but Nishikawa kept his shot out.
With Yamagishi working hard on the left side to create chances for Hiroshima, the go-ahead goal came in the 56th minute when Sato beat his marker with a good move up front to connect with a Yamagishi cross.
Boosted by the goal, the J. League players started playing better and made it 3-1 in the 72nd minute when Sato rushed in to score from a pass by Takahagi Yojiro.
Ulsan brought on Brazilian attacker Maranhao in the 76th minute and the former FC Tokyo player worked well up front, but Nishikawa and his defenders were also playing well.
Ulsan finally found the net again five minutes into additional time through Lee Yong off a free-kick, but it was too little, too late.
“I’d like to compliment my players,” said Hiroshima boss Moriyasu Hajime. “We came to play in this tournament on a tight schedule after finishing our league season and our players mustered up every last bit of energy they had to compete right to the end.
“I am so glad that we could play good football and end with a victory. That was significant for us.”
Ulsan manager Kim Ho Gon commented, “We played well but couldn’t score on the chances we had. We couldn’t cope with the offense of our opponents.”
Hiroshima captain Sato said, “We wanted to get a result as we knew finishing fifth or sixth would make a big difference to us as we were playing in Japan.
“We couldn’t reach the semifinals, but still showed our brand of football on this world stage. We have gained confidence that we will be able to do well in the ACL next year if we play like we did today.”
Nishikawa commented, “I didn’t want to lose today as it was a Japan-Korea matchup. I hope we can do well next year and come back to this tournament.”
12/12/12
Football , K-League , Ulsan Hyundai
