Kawasaki Stun Al-Nassr in Thrilling ACL Semi-Final Win
Kawasaki Frontale stun Cristiano Ronaldo's Al-Nassr 3-2 in the Asian Champions League semi-final, advancing to the final. Read more.
Kawasaki Frontale stunned Al-Nassr with a thrilling 3-2 win, reaching the Asian Champions League final for the first time.
The Japanese side held their nerve despite fielding a star-studded Saudi Pro League team featuring Cristiano Ronaldo. Sadio Mane's deflected goal gave Kawasaki hope before Yuto Ozeki and Akihiro Ienaga sealed the victory.
Aiman Yahya's late goal set up a tense finish, but Kawasaki Frontale held on for a 3-2 win, advancing to the final.
They'll face Al-Ahli in the final on Saturday, with both teams vying for their first continental title. Frontale coach Shigetoshi Hasebe praised his team's performance, saying, “It was a very difficult game but the players were able to show their best performance on the pitch. We're showing what we've been building since pre-season and I'm happy with that.”
Kawasaki Frontale, the underdogs, got off to a promising start. Marcinho outmuscled Marcelo Brozovic to win possession deep in Al-Nassr's half, and the forward nearly scored with a shot that went wide.
FT | 🇸🇦 Al Nassr 2️⃣-3️⃣ Kawasaki Frontale 🇯🇵
— #ACLElite | #ACLTwo (@TheAFCCL) April 30, 2025
𝙂𝙍𝙄𝙏. 𝘿𝙄𝙎𝘾𝙄𝙋𝙇𝙄𝙉𝙀. 𝘿𝙀𝙎𝙄𝙍𝙀.
Kawasaki Frontale advance to the #ACLEliteFinal #ACLElite | #NSRvKWF pic.twitter.com/KI7QzdA4s8
Just four minutes later, Kawasaki's efforts paid off. A pass from Ozeki found Marcinho on the left, who centered the ball into the box. Defender Mohamed Simakan headed it towards the edge of the area, where an unmarked Tatsuya Ito lashed a first-time volley into the top corner, stunning the Saudi fans and giving Kawasaki an unexpected lead.
Al-Nassr had a slow start, with few scoring opportunities. One rare chance came when Jhon Duran shot wide after being set up by Cristiano Ronaldo.
The tide turned when Sadio Mane equalized for Al-Nassr, benefiting from a deflection off Yuichi Maruyama's shoulder that sent his shot past Kawasaki goalkeeper Louis Yamaguchi. Ronaldo then had two close calls, rattling the goalpost with a header and sending an overhead kick wide, as Al-Nassr began to dominate the game.
Kawasaki regained the lead just before halftime through Ozeki's calm finish after Ito's determined run unsettled the Al-Nassr defense.
✨ 𝗙𝗜𝗡𝗔𝗟𝗜𝗦𝗧𝗦 ✨
— #ACLElite | #ACLTwo (@TheAFCCL) April 30, 2025
Magnificient 🇯🇵 Kawasaki Frontale are the #AFCElite Finalists!#ACLEliteFinal pic.twitter.com/kKgPffhpwk
The Japanese side sealed their win 14 minutes from time when substitute Ienaga scored after Erison's clever run down the byline. Al-Nassr's Aiman Yahya pulled one back late on, but Kawasaki goalkeeper Yamaguchi made crucial saves to deny Ronaldo in stoppage time, securing a famous victory.
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