Vissel Kobe Edge Closer to Asian Champions League Quarter-Finals

Japanese titleholders Vissel Kobe moved a step closer to the Asian Champions League Elite last-eight as Yuya Osako inspired his side to a 2-0 triumph over South Korea’s Gwangju FC on Wednesday.

Kota Takai’s second-half own effort, meanwhile, gave Shanghai Shenhua a 1-0 home victory over Japan’s Kawasaki Frontale ahead of next week’s second fixture.

Osako gave Kobe, the back-to-back J-League champions, the lead in the 20th minute when the former Japan international striker reacted quickest to head in from close proximity after Haruya Ide’s attempt had come back off the framework.

Nine minutes later Osako turned creator, the 34-year-old finding space down the right to deliver a cross that allowed Ide to steer a glanced header across goalkeeper Kim Kyeong-min and in off the far upright.

Chinese Super League side Shenhua earned a narrow advantage over Kawasaki when Takai redirected Wilson Manafa’s shot past Louis Yamaguchi with 14 minutes left.

The second fixtures will be played next Wednesday and the draw for the quarter-finals will be held in Kuala Lumpur on March 17.

The remaining matches in the knockout rounds will be played on a centralised system in Jeddah in Saudi Arabia, with the quarter-finals on April 25 and 26.

The title-decider will be played on May 3.