Kawasaki overcomes Al Nassr to secure a spot in the AFC Champions League Elite final
Kawasaki Frontale achieved a surprising victory over Al Nassr, winning 3-2 in the semifinals of the Asian Football Confederation Champions League at King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on Wednesday. This victory marks the first...
TroibNews 
Kawasaki Frontale achieved a surprising victory over Al Nassr, winning 3-2 in the semifinals of the Asian Football Confederation Champions League at King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on Wednesday. This victory marks the first time the club has advanced to the tournament's final.
Kawasaki will now face Al Ahli in the final, who eliminated Al Hilal with a 3-1 win on Tuesday. The match on Saturday will see both clubs vie for their inaugural continental trophy.
The match got off to a strong start for Kawasaki, who took the lead in the 10th minute when Tatsuya Ito volleyed a headed clearance into the net. Al Nassr equalized 18 minutes later, when Sadio Mane made a dynamic run into the box from the left wing, unleashing a powerful shot that was deflected by a defender and Kawasaki's goalkeeper, Louis Yamaguchi, before finding the back of the net.
Kawasaki regained the lead in the 41st minute. After Al Nassr's Bento saved an initial attempt from Ito, Yuto Ozeki was on hand to score from the rebound.
The Japanese side further extended their lead in the 76th minute, with Erison outmaneuvering the defense on the left wing to deliver a low cross to Akihiro Ienaga, who tapped in easily for a 3-1 advantage.
Al Nassr managed a late response with a spectacular long-range shot from Ayman Yahya in the 87th minute, but it wasn't enough to turn the tide. Cristiano Ronaldo, 40, was unable to find the scoresheet, hitting the crossbar with a header in the first half and having his free kick during stoppage time blocked by Yamaguchi.
Currently, Al Nassr sits in third place in the Saudi Pro League, trailing leaders Al Ittihad by eight points with five matches remaining.
Sanya Singh contributed to this article for TROIB News
Kawasaki will now face Al Ahli in the final, who eliminated Al Hilal with a 3-1 win on Tuesday. The match on Saturday will see both clubs vie for their inaugural continental trophy.
The match got off to a strong start for Kawasaki, who took the lead in the 10th minute when Tatsuya Ito volleyed a headed clearance into the net. Al Nassr equalized 18 minutes later, when Sadio Mane made a dynamic run into the box from the left wing, unleashing a powerful shot that was deflected by a defender and Kawasaki's goalkeeper, Louis Yamaguchi, before finding the back of the net.
Kawasaki regained the lead in the 41st minute. After Al Nassr's Bento saved an initial attempt from Ito, Yuto Ozeki was on hand to score from the rebound.
The Japanese side further extended their lead in the 76th minute, with Erison outmaneuvering the defense on the left wing to deliver a low cross to Akihiro Ienaga, who tapped in easily for a 3-1 advantage.
Al Nassr managed a late response with a spectacular long-range shot from Ayman Yahya in the 87th minute, but it wasn't enough to turn the tide. Cristiano Ronaldo, 40, was unable to find the scoresheet, hitting the crossbar with a header in the first half and having his free kick during stoppage time blocked by Yamaguchi.
Currently, Al Nassr sits in third place in the Saudi Pro League, trailing leaders Al Ittihad by eight points with five matches remaining.
Sanya Singh contributed to this article for TROIB News
