Japan’s Kawasaki Frontale ended Cristiano Ronaldo and Al-Nassr’s hopes of continental glory, securing a thrilling 3-2 victory in the AFC Champions League Elite semi-final in Jeddah on Wednesday night. The win sets up a final clash against Saudi Arabia’s Al-Ahli on Saturday.
Despite Al-Nassr starting brightly, Kawasaki took a spectacular lead in the 10th minute. A cross from Marcinho was headed clear only as far as Tatsuya Ito, who unleashed a superb volley into the top corner.
Al-Nassr, pushing for an equalizer, were rewarded just before the half-hour mark when Sadio Mané cut in from the left and his shot took a deflection before finding the net. The Saudi side continued to press, with Ronaldo hitting the woodwork with a header and Jhon Durán firing just wide.
However, Kawasaki regained the lead four minutes before halftime. Al-Nassr goalkeeper Bento parried a shot from Ito, and Yuto Ozeki was quickest to react, firing home the rebound from inside the area.
The Japanese side extended their lead in the 76th minute. Brazilian forward Erison, who had earlier missed a clear chance, skipped past Aymeric Laporte on the byline and squared the ball for Akihiro Ienaga to tap in from close range, making it 3-1.
Al-Nassr substitute Ayman Yahya gave his side late hope with a fine strike into the top corner from outside the box in the 87th minute. Jhon Durán then missed a close-range opportunity to level the scores, and a late Cristiano Ronaldo free-kick was saved by the legs of Kawasaki goalkeeper Louis Yamaguchi.
Kawasaki Frontale held on for a famous victory, reaching their first-ever AFC Champions League final. They will now face Al-Ahli, who defeated Al-Hilal in the other semi-final, at the King Abdullah Sports City stadium in Jeddah on Saturday, May 3rd, with a new continental champion set to be crowned.
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