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3h ago

Kawasaki Frontale Reaches First ACL Elite Semifinal as Lone East Asian Representative

The J-League champions face Cristiano Ronaldo's Al-Nassr on April 30 after a dramatic extra-time victory over Qatar's Al-Sadd.

Soccer Football - Nations League - Portugal training - Poljud Stadium, Split, Croatia - November 17, 2024 Portugal's Joao Cancelo during training REUTERS/Antonio Bronic
Soccer Football - Asian Champions League - Quarter Final - Kawasaki Frontale v Al Sadd - Prince Abdullah Al-Faisal Sports City Stadium, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia - April 27, 2025 Kawasaki Frontale coach Shigetoshi Hasebe reacts REUTERS/Stringer
Soccer Football - Asian Champions League - Quarter Final - Kawasaki Frontale v Al Sadd - Prince Abdullah Al-Faisal Sports City Stadium, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia - April 27, 2025 Kawasaki Frontale coach Shigetoshi Hasebe looks on REUTERS/Stringer
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Overview

  • Yasuto Wakizaka scored the decisive extra-time goal in Kawasaki Frontale's 3-2 win over Al-Sadd, securing their first-ever AFC Champions League Elite semifinal spot.
  • Kawasaki is the only East Asian team remaining in the competition, with three Saudi Pro League clubs—Al-Hilal, Al-Ahli, and Al-Nassr—completing the semifinal lineup.
  • Saudi clubs demonstrated their dominance in the quarterfinals with a combined scoreline of 14-1 across three matches, showcasing the impact of their significant financial investments.
  • Kawasaki coach Shigetoshi Hasebe expressed determination to challenge the narrative of Saudi superiority, emphasizing East Asian competitiveness ahead of their clash with Al-Nassr.
  • The semifinal matches will take place in Jeddah, with Al-Nassr facing Kawasaki on April 30 and Al-Hilal meeting Al-Ahli on April 29, as part of the centralized knockout format.