AFC Champions League Final: Five Great Second Leg Goals

Published on: 20 November 2017

Kuala Lumpur: After an exciting AFC Champions League Final first leg, attention now turns to the decisive return meeting on Saturday when Urawa Red Diamonds and Al Hilal clash for the second and concluding time.

In the history of the AFC Champions League Final there have been some classic second leg encounters with some superb goals, the-AFC.com looks back on five of the finest.

1. Mohamed Kallon - 2005 AFC Champions League: Al Ittihad v Al Ain

 

In 2005, Al Ittihad's campaign to defend their AFC Champions League crown was strengthened by the arrival of Sierra Leone striker Mohammed Kallon. 

It was an investment that paid off handsomely, as Kallon scored six goals in as many games in the knockout stage to become the tournament's top scorer and give the Saudi giants a second consecutive title.

The last of those six strikes came in the second leg of the final against 2003 champions Al Ain, when Kallon gifted his side a perfect start by curling in a fine free-kick just moments after kick-off. 
 
2. Yuichiro Nagai - 2007 AFC Champions League: Urawa Red Diamonds v Sepahan

 

Urawa Red Diamonds became the first Japanese side to win the revamped AFC Champions League with a 3-1 aggregate win over Islamic Republic of Iran's Sepahan in the final of the 2007 edition.

The first leg in Isfahan was a close affair with the sides sharing the spoils after a 1-1 draw, before Yuichiro Nagai made his mark in Urawa's 2-0 win in Saitama.

Nagai opened the scoring for Urawa in the 22nd minute by breaking the offside trap and firing home a rocket from the edge of the box.

He then went on to play a part in the second goal, when his parried shot was finished off by Yuki Abe to confirm Urawa's dominant win. 

3. Lucas - 2008 AFC Champions League: Gamba Osaka v Adelaide United

 

The dominance of Japanese clubs continued in 2008, as Gamba Osaka followed up Urawa's success by clinching the AFC Champions League title with a 5-0 aggregate win over Adelaide United.

Gamba's victory in the final was built on a comprehensive 3-0 win at home in the first leg, before they added to Adelaide's misery with a 2-0 result a week later.

Brazilian striker Lucas scored thrice over both legs for Gamba and his second goal in Adelaide was the pick of the bunch. After latching onto a superbly-weighted through ball, he deftly flicked the ball past the onrushing Mark Birighitti with the outside of his foot to round off the scoring.

4. Elkeson - 2013 AFC Champions League: Guangzhou Evergrande v FC Seoul

 

Guangzhou Evergrande's historic win in the 2013 AFC Champions League final over FC Seoul made them the first Chinese side to win the title and they had one man in particular to thank for it - Elkeson.

After netting in the 2-2 draw in the first leg, the Brazilian striker displayed his quality once again in the second leg at home. 

With the score at 0-0, Muriqui spotted his countryman's run from the wing and slipped through a perfect pass.

Elkeson’s touch was exquisite as he instantly brought the ball into his path, before keeping his composure to finish past Kim Yong-dae.

Seoul equalised minutes later through Dejan Damjanovic, but Guangzhou held on to win on away goals.

5. Elkeson - 2015 AFC Champions League: Guangzhou Evergrande v Al Ahli

 

Elkeson's status as a Guangzhou Evergrande legend was cemented further when he made another decisive contribution in the Chinese side's second AFC Champions League triumph in 2015.

There was only one goal in the final between Guangzhou and Al Ahli, with Elkeson scoring it in the 54th minute of the second leg to ensure that the trophy returned to China. 

The goal came after a moment of magic, as the Brazilian flicked the ball past Al Ahli's Salmin Khamis while swiveling around the defender's other side.

Only the finish was remaining and Elkeson made no mistake to slot in the winner.

Photo: Lagardère Sports

Source: the-afc.com

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