Japan’s Kawasaki Frontale advanced to the semifinals of the Asian Champions League Elite football tournament with a 3-2 extra-time victory over Qatar’s Al Sadd on Sunday.
Yasuto Wakizaka scored the winner eight minutes into the first half of extra time at Prince Abdullah Al Faisal Stadium in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
Kawasaki Frontale’s Yuki Yamamoto (R) and Al Sadd’s Akram Afif vie for the ball during the second half of their Asian Champions League Elite quarterfinal match on April 27, 2025, at Prince Abdullah Al Faisal Stadium in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. (Kyodo)
Kawasaki went ahead twice, but Al Sadd equalized both times.
Erison opened the scoring in the fourth minute before Paulo Otavio hit back five minutes later.
Kawasaki went into halftime with a 2-1 lead thanks to a fine finish by Marcinho in the 21st minute.
However, the Qatari side leveled the score again when Claudinho smashed in a powerful strike in the 71st minute.
Kawasaki will next face Cristiano Ronaldo’s Saudi club Al Nassr on Wednesday. The other semifinal will be played Tuesday between Al Hilal and Al Ahli, both of Saudi Arabia.
Saudi Arabia is hosting all matches from the quarterfinals onward.
Yasuto Wakizaka (L) of Japan’s Kawasaki Frontale scores in the first half of extra time in an AFC Champions League Elite quarterfinal match against Qatar’s Al Sadd in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on April 27, 2025. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo
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