Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors FC faced disappointment as they were eliminated from the AFC Champions League 2 (ACL2) quarter-finals after losing 3-2 to Sydney FC on March 13, 2025. This defeat, combined with their earlier 2-0 loss, resulted in an aggregate score of 5-2, ending their hopes for advancement. The match took place at Sydney Football Stadium, where Jeonbuk's dreams of a miraculous comeback were dashed by Sydney's fierce response.
The Korean team entered the second leg at 5 PM local time needing at least a three-goal advantage to secure their place in the semi-finals. The first leg, held on March 6, 2025, at Yongin Mireu Stadium, had already set the stage for the uphill battle Jeonbuk faced.
Despite the odds stacked against them, Jeonbuk showed promising signs early on, thanks to Jeon Jin-woo’s remarkable performance. The forward netted two goals in the first half, lighting up the hopes of fans who believed their team could pull off the improbable. Jeonjin-woo's first goal came at the 35-minute mark when he received an assist from Kim Jin-gyu, finishing it with precision to the top corner.
Just before the first half concluded, Jeonjin-woo found the back of the net again during stoppage time from a corner kick situation, leveling up the aggregate score to 2-2. The excitement among Jeonbuk supporters soared, as they had put themselves back on equal terms.
Jeonbuk continued to press their advantage at the start of the second half, where they approached another potential goal. Just one minute after the restart, Jeon Jin-woo launched another effort on goal but was thwarted by the Sydney goalkeeper. This missed opportunity proved costly as Sydney quickly rallied to regain control.
It was Alex Grant who broke the deadlock for Sydney FC, scoring from a free kick just 14 minutes after the restart, pushing the aggregate score to 3-2. Jeonbuk attempted to respond, but their efforts were met with setbacks, including Ahn Hyun-beom’s goal being disallowed for offside just moments later.
Sydney FC struck again shortly after, with Patrick Klimara scoring to extend their lead and solidify their status as the advancing team. The crushing blow came when Jeonbuk's Bo-kyung conceded a penalty, allowing Douglas Costa to score the final nail in the coffin at 35 minutes of the second half, edging the score to 3-2 for the match and 5-2 on aggregate.
Reflecting on the match, Jeonbuk’s formation followed the 4-2-3-1 style, adapting to the strategies of the home team, who also employed the 4-2-3-1 layout. Despite showing early promise and thrusting all efforts in pursuit of victory, their defense proved vulnerable under pressure.
This latest defeat marks Jeonbuk's fourth consecutive loss under the management of Gus Poyet, prompting concerns about the team's current form as they head back to domestic play. Their next challenge awaits on March 16, where they will face Pohang Steelers at home for the K-League 1 fifth round.
The heartbreak of elimination resonates with Jeonbuk’s supporters, who hoped for another fairy-tale run like the one experienced years before. Frustrations linger as Jeonbuk strives to address the shortcomings seen on the continental stage.
The broader Asian football community has also been watching closely, especially following Gwangju FC’s recent success by advancing to the ACLE quarter-finals just days prior. Jeonbuk’s inability to match this success puts additional pressure on the club to turn around its performance and aspirations.
Jeonbuk’s outcomes now serve as a stark reminder of the fierce competition within the AFC Champions League, where each team contends not just for trophies, but also for national pride and prestige on the Asian stage.
Looking forward, improvements on both strategic and player performance fronts will be necessary if Jeonbuk hopes to reclaim former glory and avoid such bitter disappointments in future cup competitions.
Having faced fierce competition like Sydney FC, the club now shifts its focus to the domestic league where their resilience will again be tested as they aim to navigate through the ups and downs, seeking to end their string of defeats.