Elite Asani strikes early in Gwangju victory | OneFootball

Outstanding Jasir Asani scored twice in the opening seven minutes, and assisted Heo Yool's late clincher as Gwangju FC made it three from three in their AFC Elite debut season.

Gwangju FC (Jasir Asani 3' and 7', Heo Yool 88')

This match belonged to Jasir Asani. The tournament's stand out player over the first three rounds scored twice and assisted another in a vintage display against the Malaysian champions Johor Darul Ta'zim. His first goal was outrageous, curling a shot high and wide of the keeper with virtually no back lift. The second was a moment of opportunism after a defensive error. The assist involved creativity of the highest standard.

Gwangju's home game was moved to Yongin Mireu, nearly 300 kms north of their home ground, because the nationwide issue with poor pitch conditions tis season. Their nominal home ground, Gwangju Stadium, isn't of the required standard to host matches in this competition and the neighboring World Cup Stadium has been affected by an easily cut up surface. Poast match, manager Lee Jung-hyo and Asani complimented the surface in Yongin.

The match needed Asani's inspiration because it threatened to collapse into farce on a couple of occasions. Firstly, the conditions were truly dreadful and knowing the rain was tumbling all day in Gwangju as well, it was just as well the match was moved to the superior surface of Yongin.

Also, both clubs were on the verge of all-out war during the second period. The Qatari referee lost control as the tackles flew in, the benches regularly cleared and a major melee developed near the half way line. At the whistle, though, Gwangju's players showed their appreciation to the visiting fans by standing in front of them and thanking them for their support. It was a nice touch.

Gwangju's start to the game was sensational; or, to be more precise, Jasir Asani's was. The Albanian attacking midfielder scored for the third straight game in this competition with a sumptuous right-footed effort in front of the away end. Asani gathered the ball on the edge of the box, and with virtually no back lift, he got enough power on the strike to curl it away from Andoni Dorronsoro in goals.

The "home" team had won their first two games of the competition, beating Japanese giants Yokohama F. Marinos 7-3 in Gwangju and Kawaski Frontale 1-0 on the road. Johor have also started the ACLE in fine form, earning four points from the two Shanghai-based clubs in this season's tournament. That left Yongin's opponents 1st and and 2nd in the table heading into tonight's game. A scenario I'm sure view expected when the fixture list first came out.

It had the makings of a long night night in miserable conditions for the Malaysian side when a terrible defensive mix up allowed Asani in for his second on seven minutes.  The forward disposed his man 40 yards out and even with all the time in the world to overthink the situation, his finish was coolness personified.

Johor looked rattled and came close to conceding a third goal on numerous occasions before eventually finding their grove. The visitors are no mugs. Johor are currently top of the Malaysia Super League standings, unbeaten in their opening 11 games to open up a five-point gap with a match in hand. Last year, they were unbeaten, winning 25 of their 26 games, scoring 100 goals, to stroll to the title with 15 points to spare. You have to go back to 2013 for the last time Johor didn't lift the domestic championship.

They pulled one back midway through the half through Feroz Baharudin. The three-tines capped Malaysain defender was unmarked four yards out from a corner to bury his header past Kim Kyung-min. It was, however, a terrible goal for Gwangju to concede, which must have infuriated Lee Jung-hyo in the dugout.

Gwangju had a goal chalked off through offside but as the half wore on, it was Johor who looked like scoring the next goal. Kim Kyung-min made two smart saves, one on the stroke of half time, to preserve Gwangju's slender advantage. It looked like it was going to be a canter for Gwangju but as the whistle blew to end the half, we knew we had a game.

The second half started like the first. Gwangju on the attack, looked like opening up the away defense. Again, Johor settled, and they had a goal ruled out for offside. It was borderline.

Perhaps because the players were slipping in the wet conditions, the second period become a nasty, spiteful affair. Johor picked up three yellow cards to Gwangju's one in quick succession. In between all the cards, a huge melee broke out on half way which threatened to get both benches involved.

In fact, it got so edgy towards the end that manager Lee was restrained by two members of his coaching staff from confronting the referee. That wasn't the only time he was held back.

Gwangju made the game safe with two minutes of regulation tome to play and, predictably, Asani played a central role. The brilliant Albanian stood up his men on the right flank, and delivered a superb cross to the back past for Heo Yool to head home, with the aid of a slight deflection. The goal came somewhat against the run of the play, but Yool, celebrating on the running track and the travelling yellow fans, did not care.

As time ran out, we had some unsavory scenes as Johor's Bergson clashed with a ball boy over the slow delivery of a ball for a corner. Asani reacted furiously. It is never a good look hen players clash with ball boys. Thankfully the last moment in a tempestuous game, in difficult conditions.

Gwangju march on. They look like they belong in this company.

Line ups

Gwangju FC:

(1)Kim Kyeong-min; (2) Jo Seong-kwon, (15) Byeon Jun-soo, (23) Kim Gyeong-jae, (3) An Min-ki; (7) Jasir Asani, (55) Park Tae-joon, (14) Jung Ho-yeon, (77) Oh Hoo-seong; (20) Lee Gun-hee (40) Shin Chang-moo.

Substitutes:

(31) Roh Hee-dong, (6) Ahn Young-kyu, (8) Lee Eu-deum, (10) Lee Heui-kyun, (17) Jeong Ji-yong, (18)Heo Yool, (22) Lee Sang-ki, (24) Lee Kang-hyun, (27) Kim Jin-ho, (30) Choi Kyoung-rok, (88) Moon Min-seo, (47) Kim Han-gil.

The fans

Unless you were present in Mireu, it is impossible to accurately convey just how woeful the conditions were. The rain was absolutely relentless, and even with the roof, every seat in the lower bowl was exposed. Despite this, both sets of fans were amazing in a large, empty stadium. There was plenty of noise from both ends.

Up next

Gwangju's next league match is against Incheon United, away, this Sunday at 4:30 pm. Gwangju are currently 12 points clear of Incheon in last spot, assured of at least avoiding the ignominy of automatic relegation. But Daejeon Hana Citizen, in 10th, and therefore the final playoff spot, are only six points behind. A win is vital to ensure their K League 1 participation for the third straight season.

They are back in continental action on November 5th when they make the difficult trip to Japan to faceVissel Kobe in matchday 4 of 8.

Best player: Jasir AsaniAttendance: 2,101