By Michael Church
HONG KONG (Reuters) – Japan’s Ventforet Kofu became the first second division club to qualify for the knockout rounds of the Asian Champions League on Tuesday as Yoshiyuki Shinoda’s side held on to defeat hosts Buriram United in Thailand 3-2 to progress to the last 16.
Kofu will be joined in the draw for the next round by former champions Ulsan Hyundai, who squeezed through with a 2-2 draw against already-qualified Kawasaki Frontale to claim one of the three best runners-up spots available in the knockout phase.
Ulsan progressed after Melbourne City conceded an equaliser deep into stoppage time as their meeting with Chinese Super League side Zhejiang FC ended in a 1-1 draw that leaves the Australian side sweating on the results of the final group games.
Kofu and Ulsan join Kawasaki and Bangkok United in securing their spots in the last 16 from the east of the continent with the final four berths to be determined on Wednesday.
Ventforet sealed top spot in Group H with victory over Buriram, but had to hold to in the second half to claim their third win of the campaign.
Motoki Hasegawa put Kofu in front in the 24th minute before a double from former Nigeria international Peter Utaka gave the visitors a three-goal lead at halftime.
Arthit Boodjinda and Goran Causic, with a penalty, netted inside the first 10 minutes of the second half for a Buriram side that side harboured their own hopes of advancing, but Kofu held on.
Melbourne City finished second in the group, two points behind Kofu, and their prospects of a place in the next round suffered a late blow when Zhejiang claimed a 99th minute equaliser.
Tolgay Arslan had put the home side in front in the 54th minute and Aurelio Vidmar’s team looked set to take the points until Nyasha Mushekwi’s stoppage time header levelled the scores.
Ulsan, meanwhile, sneaked into the last 16 as the South Korean champions fought back from going two goals down to a much-changed Kawasaki side to take a point.
Daiya Tono and Tatsuki Seko earned Toru Oniki’s unfamiliar side a two-goal cushion by the 31st minute but Martin Adam headed in from close range in the final minute of the first half to give Ulsan hope.
The Hungarian striker pulled his side level from the penalty spot eight minutes after the interval after a foul on Kim Young-gwon and the draw, coupled with Melbourne’s result, guarantees Hong Myung-bo’s team a place in the next round.
(Reporting by Michael Church, Editing by Christian Radnedge)
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