Wakizaka s extra time winner takes Kawasaki into Asian Champions League semis

JEDDAH - Yasuto Wakizaka struck seven minutes into extra time to earn Kawasaki Frontale a 3-2 win over Qatars Al-Sadd in the quarter-finals of the Asian Champions League Elite in Jeddah on Sunday and set up a semi-final clash with Cristiano Ronaldos Al-Nassr.

Brazilian forward Erison had given Kawasaki the lead in the fourth minute and, while Paulo Otavio levelled for Al-Sadd five minutes later, Marcinhos lofted finish in the 21st minute put the Japanese side back in front.

But a 71st-minute strike by Claudinho took the game into extra-time where Wakisaka struck to take his side through to the semi-finals for the first time.

It was a difficult game against a great team so it wasnt easy, but we did what we had to do on the pitch, said Kawasaki coach Shigetoshi Hasebe. This win is very important for the club.

Kawasakis victory completes the last four line-up, with Saudi duo Al-Hilal and Al-Ahli facing off on Tuesday before the J-League outfit take on Al-Nassr 24 hours later.

Frontale went in front as Akihiro Ienaga drove into the penalty area before cutting the ball back to Erison, and the Brazilian slotted his first-time effort to the right of Meshaal Barsham.

Claudinho went close to levelling when he thrashed his eighth-minute shot wide but, moments later, the Qataris equalised as Louis Yamaguchis weak attempt to palm away Otavios shot ended with the ball in the back of the net.

Kawasaki reclaimed the lead as the midway point in the half approached, Marcinho racing onto Yuki Yamamotos lofted pass over the Al-Sadd defence, the forward reaching the ball first to deftly clip his shot beyond the rapidly advancing Barsham.

Yuichi Maruyama headed a golden opportunity to extend Kawasakis lead over the bar while Marcinhos nodded effort bounced off the turf and