Football: Kawasaki beat star-studded Al Nassr to reach ACLE final
KYODO NEWS - 17 hours ago - 19:37 | Sports, All
Kawasaki Frontale clinched their place in the Asian Champions League Elite final with a dramatic 3-2 victory over star-studded Saudi Arabian outfit Al Nassr on Wednesday.
The J-League side took another step toward becoming champions of Asian club football for the first time thanks to a man-of-the-match performance by Tatsuya Ito at King Abdullah Sports City Stadium in Jeddah.
The 27-year-old forward struck the opener and helped create a second goal for Kawasaki as they outshone an Al Nassr lineup boasting the likes of Portuguese great Cristiano Ronaldo and former Liverpool standout Sadio Mane.
"It felt as if I was in a video game for a moment lining up next to Cristiano Ronaldo, Sadio Mane, (Marcelo) Brozovic and (Mohamed) Simakan," said diminutive attacker Ito, who previously played in the German top tier with Hamburg. "I enjoyed the whole occasion."
Having taken 120 minutes to overcome Qatar's Al Sadd 3-2 in the quarterfinals on Sunday, Shigetoshi Hasebe's men were also coming off one day less rest than Al Sadd, who had brushed aside Yokohama F Marinos 4-1.
Young Japan defender Kota Takai had a stellar outing for Kawasaki as he worked to contain the high-powered Al Nassr attack, while Hasebe's bold call to start young attackers Soma Kanda and Yuto Ozeki to press their opposing playmaker Brozovic proved effective.
"Stop their No. 11 (Brozovic) was the message," said Hasebe, who made all of his five substitutions by the 70th minute aware of the tough schedule Kawasaki were handed. "Our players could have had cramps after that. It was a gamble."
Frontale goalkeeper Louis Yamaguchi was called into action early in the semifinal, sprawling to his left to deny Colombia international Jhon Duran.
Ito opened the scoring in the 10th minute with a superb volley from the edge of the box after Al Nassr defender Simakan headed away Marcinho's cross.
Mane made it 1-1 in the 28th minute with a shot that deflected sharply off a defender and left Yamaguchi diving in the wrong direction.
Ronaldo hit the woodwork with a header before Kawasaki restored their lead as halftime approached, with Al Nassr keeper Bento Krepski parrying Ito's shot into the path of Ozeki, who fired home with his first touch.
Kawasaki forward Erison beat two defenders with his dribble along the byline before setting up 38-year-old veteran Akihiro Ienaga to tap in and make it 3-1 in the 76th minute.
Aiman Yahya pulled a late goal back for Al Nassr, but Kawasaki held firm, with Yamaguchi stopping Ronaldo's free kick in injury time to ensure a place in the final against Saudi Arabia's Al Ahli on Saturday.
"I think we can perform even better," said 20-year-old center-back Takai. "I want to make a match-winning contribution (in the final)."
Related coverage:
Football: Kawasaki edge Al Sadd to reach ACLE semifinals
Football: Marinos lose 4-1 to Saudi Arabia's Al Nassr in ACLE last 8
Football: Kawasaki through, Kobe suffer shock exit in ACLE
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Kyodo News
2 days ago
- Kyodo News
Football: Makeshift Japan fall late to Australia for 1st q'fiers loss
KYODO NEWS - 13 hours ago - 23:33 | Sports, All, Japan Already-qualified Japan fell to a late 1-0 defeat away to Australia on Thursday in the Asian final-round qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup, their first loss of the campaign. A makeshift Samurai Blue side were stunned in the 90th minute when Aziz Behich drilled a shot inside the right-hand post at Perth Stadium off a Riley McGree cutback from the right byline, all but sealing Australia's automatic qualification as Group C runners-up. "It ended up being an extremely frustrating and disappointing result," Japan manager Hajime Moriyasu said. "Many players with little experience were in action, but they have made the best preparation possible, showing zeal from training." With Japan having become in March the first non-host nation to qualify, Moriyasu opted to call up a raft of new faces for their two dead rubbers this month, and Hiroki Sekine, Yu Hirakawa and Kota Tawaratsumida all made their Japan debuts in Western Australia. While Yuito Suzuki and captain Daichi Kamada enjoyed a strong first half in attacking midfield, right wing-back Hirakawa had the best chances of the half for a dominant Japan as two long-range drives late on off both feet threatened the Australian goal. The 64th-minute introductions of Keito Nakamura and Takefusa Kubo added spark to the visitors' attack, with Kubo seeing a shot off his weaker right foot sail narrowly wide in the 80th minute. But Tony Popovic's men did not settle for a point and grabbed a precious opportunity to take all three points, which all but secured their place in the finals in Canada, Mexico and the United States next summer. Japan will wrap up their qualifying at home to Indonesia on Tuesday in Suita, Osaka Prefecture. "Whoever gets picked, Japan always play to win. We wanted to continue our unbeaten run, but you cannot turn back the clock," Moriyasu said. "We'll ready ourselves the best we can to round things off with a win." Related coverage: Football: Nadeshiko Japan suffer back-to-back defeats against Brazil FOCUS: As women's football grows in Europe, Japan aims to follow suit Japanese footballer in Australia arrested in betting scandal
The Mainichi
3 days ago
- The Mainichi
Football: Makeshift Japan fall late to Australia for 1st q'fiers loss
PERTH, Australia (Kyodo) -- Already-qualified Japan fell to a late 1-0 defeat away to Australia on Thursday in the Asian final-round qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup, their first loss of the campaign. A makeshift Samurai Blue side were stunned in the 90th minute when Aziz Behich drilled a shot inside the right-hand post at Perth Stadium off a Riley McGree cutback from the right byline, all but sealing Australia's automatic qualification as Group C runners-up. "It ended up being an extremely frustrating and disappointing result," Japan manager Hajime Moriyasu said. "Many players with little experience were in action, but they have made the best preparation possible, showing zeal from training." With Japan having become in March the first non-host nation to qualify, Moriyasu opted to call up a raft of new faces for their two dead rubbers this month, and Hiroki Sekine, Yu Hirakawa and Kota Tawaratsumida all made their Japan debuts in Western Australia. While Yuito Suzuki and captain Daichi Kamada enjoyed a strong first half in attacking midfield, right wing-back Hirakawa had the best chances of the half for a dominant Japan as two long-range drives late on off both feet threatened the Australian goal. The 64th-minute introductions of Keito Nakamura and Takefusa Kubo added spark to the visitors' attack, with Kubo seeing a shot off his weaker right foot sail narrowly wide in the 80th minute. But Tony Popovic's men did not settle for a point and grabbed a precious opportunity to take all three points, which all but secured their place in the finals in Canada, Mexico and the United States next summer. Japan will wrap up their qualifying at home to Indonesia on Tuesday in Suita, Osaka Prefecture. "Whoever gets picked, Japan always play to win. We wanted to continue our unbeaten run, but you cannot turn back the clock," Moriyasu said. "We'll ready ourselves the best we can to round things off with a win."
Japan Today
3 days ago
- Japan Today
China suffer more World Cup heartbreak after Indonesia loss
soccer By Jack MOORE China's hopes of reaching only a second World Cup in their history were ended on Thursday after a 1-0 defeat to Patrick Kluivert's Indonesia in Jakarta. Ole Romeny scored the only goal, his controversial penalty just before half time following a VAR check leaving China rooted to the bottom of Asian qualifying Group C with one game remaining. President Xi Jinping once said he wanted China to win the World Cup, but this defeat means they have still only been to the tournament once, in 2002. "As a coach of course I have the responsibility for the result," said manager Branko Ivankovic, who will likely face calls to quit. The Croat said the future was bright for Chinese football despite the latest heartbreak. They have won just two of their nine games in this round of Asian qualifying, losing seven. "We brought the new generations and players into team China. I think we brought the motivation as well, I think this is where the future will be," said Ivankovic. The scrappy win leaves Indonesia in fourth spot to remain alive in qualifying for next year's tournament in North America. A sell-out crowd of 76,000 at the Gelora Bung Karno stadium was sent into raptures after the Oxford United striker Romeny tucked away his spot-kick. The 45th-minute goal proved to be the winner after a VAR review when Ricky Kambuaya went down under minimal contact. It came at the perfect time for the hosts, just before the break, following a drab first half. Indonesia have 12 points with one game remaining, with teams finishing third and fourth going into a further round of qualifying for 2026. Now only Bahrain can catch them but they must beat Saudi Arabia at home later Thursday. "The result is the most important thing. We are happy with the result. After this, we are going to build even more," said Indonesia coach Kluivert, the Dutch great. "The things that we wanted to see came off in the game. I am very proud of my team." Indonesia, attempting to reach a first World Cup since independence in 1945, dominated possession and defended stoutly. China -- who won the reverse fixture 2-1 in Qingdao -- applied the pressure with their World Cup hopes fading. After the break Indonesia goalkeeper Emil Audero was forced into a mighty save to keep out Wang Yudong's low shot from the edge of the box. China's Brazilian-born midfielder Serginho flashed a ball across the six-yard box that only needed a touch, but failed to find a suitor. In between Chinese attacks, Indonesia kept finding space to create chances but were unable to convert. Indonesia right-back Kevin Diks found his way into the box but had a shot saved before blazing the rebound wide. But it was their night, both teams largely cancelling each other out, allowing Indonesia to claim victory and spark wild scenes at the full-time whistle. © 2025 AFP
