Kobe into ACL semis with shoot-out win over Al Sadd

JEDDAH: Japan's Vissel Kobe defeated Roberto Mancini's Al Sadd on penalties on Thursday to book their place in the semifinals of the Asian Champions League.
The Japanese club advanced after the match in Jeddah had finished 3-3 in normal time.
Former Liverpool forward Roberto Firmino scored the opening penalty for Qatari side Al Sadd, however teammate Claudinho later missed the decisive spot-kick as Kobe stayed perfect to prevail 5-4 and march into the final four.
The victory sets up a potential semifinal date with reigning champions, Al Ahli of Saudi Arabia.
Continental champions in 1989 and 2011, Al Sadd took the lead on six minutes at Prince Abdullah Al Faisal Stadium when Spanish winger Rafa Mujica slotted home past Daiya Maekawa.
Kobe, winners of the J1 League title in 2023 and 2024, equalised midway through the first half, former Japan striker Yuya Osako heading home.
Managed by former Inter Milan, Manchester City and Italy manager Mancini, Al Sadd exerted their dominance in the second half, first when Mujica doubled his team's advantage just after the hour with a volley from Firmino's chested pass.
Four minutes later, Mujica turned provider to tee up his Brazilian teammate, who finished expertly past Maekawa.
However, Kobe pulled one back on 74 minutes through Yosuke Ideguchi before Yoshinori Muto struck in the 93rd minute to force the contest into extra-time.
For the second year running, Jeddah is staging the eight-team centralised finals series of the continent's premier football competition, rebranded last year as the Asian Champions League Elite.
Friday's action will see Saudi Arabia's two remaining clubs in action, with title-holders Al Ahli facing Malaysia's Johor Darul Ta'zim, who are managed by former Barcelona, Atletico Madrid and Liverpool forward Luis Garcia.
Fellow Jeddah side Al Ittihad, the reigning Saudi champions take on Machida Zelvia of Japan, while on Saturday UAE club Shabab Al Ahli meet Thailand's Buriram United for a place in the semifinals, which will be held on Monday and Tuesday.
The final will be played on April 25. — AFP