Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors, a club from Korea Republic emerged second victory after beating Muangthong United, a club from Thailand scoring 4-1 in the AFC Champions League Two 2024/25 at Jeonju World Cup Stadium, Jeonju.
Muangthong United began the match on the front foot, creating numerous opportunities to open the scoring. The Thai side looked threatening, with Purachet Thodsanit coming close early, only for Jeonbuk’s goalkeeper Kim Jeong-hoon to pluck his header out of the air. Moments later, Kim Ha-jun made a crucial intervention, cutting out Poramet Arjvilai’s run after a precise ball over the top from Tristan Do.
Poramet continued to test Jeonbuk’s defense, forcing Kim Jeong-hoon into a low save with a powerful shot from outside the area. However, Muangthong couldn’t find the breakthrough, despite Emil Roback and Patrick Strauss coming agonizingly close, with Strauss’ effort rattling the post in the 29th minute. Roback’s shot was also denied by Kim Jeong-hoon late in the half, as the Jeonbuk goalkeeper kept his side level heading into the break.
Having absorbed the pressure in the first half, Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors took control in the second. Just six minutes after the restart, Moon Seon-min broke the deadlock for the home side. Kim Tae-hwan made an incisive run into the penalty area, delivering a lofted cut-back to Moon, who struck a composed right-footed volley past Muangthong’s goalkeeper Kittipong Phoothawchuek to make it 1-0.
Jeonbuk doubled their lead only four minutes later through Lee Yeong-jae, whose stunning 20-yard strike bent into the bottom corner, leaving Kittipong with no chance. With momentum fully on their side, Jeonbuk continued to push forward, and by the 55th minute, they were 3-0 up. Moon added his second goal of the game, again set up by Kim Tae-hwan, who drove down the right flank and found the veteran midfielder, whose finish was clinical.
Muangthong briefly gave themselves a lifeline in the 66th minute when Sorawit Panthong pulled a goal back, firing a low shot past Kim Jeong-hoon to make it 3-1. However, Jeonbuk’s dominance remained evident, and they soon put the game beyond reach.
In the 84th minute, substitute Jin Seong-wook completed the rout, slotting past Kittipong to make it 4-1, ensuring Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors claimed a decisive victory on home soil.
Jeonbuk’s ability to absorb Muangthong’s first-half pressure and respond with a blistering second-half performance underlined their quality and experience at this level. Despite Muangthong’s bright start, they were ultimately outclassed by a Jeonbuk side that found its rhythm after the break.
The win moves Jeonbuk up in the standings, giving them a crucial second victory in the group stages of the AFC Champions League Two 2024/25 campaign, while Muangthong United will need to regroup after their promising start faded into a heavy defeat.
Credit Photo : MTUTD
