The soccer AFC Champions League (ACL) semi-final was held at Saitama Stadium on August 25, 2022, and Urawa Red Diamonds defeated Jeonbuk Hyundai (South Korea) after a penalty shootout. The game went into overtime with a 1-1 tie. In the second half of extra time, Urawa and Jeonbuk Hyundai scored one goal each, leading to a penalty shootout, with Urawa Red Diamonds winning 3-1.
“Jeonbuk, full of fighting spirit, exits after receiving applause from Urawa”
In the 11th minute of the first half, midfielder Yusuke Matsuo matched a cross from defender Hiroki Sakai to give Urawa Red Diamonds the lead, ending the first half at 1-0. Jeonbuk Hyundai won a penalty kick in the 10th minute of the second half, which was tied by MF Baek Seung-ho.
With the score still 1-1, the game went into overtime. In the 11th minute of the second half of extra time, Jeonbuk Hyundai turned the game around with an own goal. Four minutes later, Urawa’s forward Casper Junker pushed a loose ball with his right foot to tie the score again. The match turned into a penalty shootout, where goalkeeper Shusaku Nishikawa saved two shots and Urawa won 3-1.
The match also attracted a lot of attention in South Korea, and several media reported the results of the match.
The main media “Chosun Ilbo” (web version) published articles with titles such as “Jeonbuk full of fighting spirit, exited after applause from Urawa”. He attached a video of Jeonbuk Hyundai players being applauded by Urawa Reds supporters, referring to the supporters’ post-match behavior.
“Everyone stood up and applauded”
The article read, “The Jeonbuk Hyundai team, who fought until the end, received applause from the Urawa fans. There was,” he wrote. He also mentioned the behavior of the supporters after the match.
“(Urawa supporters) all stood up and applauded. The North War was completely different,” he said.
Sports Seoul (web Japanese version) introduced the behavior of the Urawa Reds supporters after the game along with the comments of DF Kim Jin-soo, who served as captain.
Immediately after finishing the penalty shootout, when Jeonbuk Hyundai players pulled up to the locker room, Urawa fans and supporters gave them a big round of applause. I fought with my best, so I think the people who watched me at the venue recognized me.”