Cristiano Ronaldo's Al Nassr knocked out in Champions League semi-final
Cristiano Ronaldo's Al-Nassr were dumped out of the Asian Champions League Elite as Japan's Kawasaki Frontale spectacularly ripped up the script with a 3-2 semi-final victory on Wednesday to reach the continental final for the first time.
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The big-spending Saudi Pro League team succumbed in Jeddah when Yuto Ozeki and Akihiro Ienaga struck after Sadio Mane's deflected effort in the 28th minute had cancelled out Tatsuya Ito's 10th-minute opener for the J-League side.
Aiman Yahya scored from distance with three minutes left for Al-Nassr to set up a tense finish but Frontale held on.
Kawasaki will face Al-Ahli, another Saudi side boasting a squad packed with high-profile foreign internationals, in Saturday's final, with both clubs looking to win their maiden continental crown.
Al-Nassr boss Stefano Pioli blamed an error-strewn display for his side's exit.
Kawasaki Frontale (blue) celebrate as Cristiano Ronaldo and Sadio Mane (yellow) show dejection. Photo: Reuters
'We have made a lot of mistakes and this has cost us the match,' the ex-AC Milan head coach said. 'It is always very difficult to lose in a semi-final.
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