AFCON 2025
Kawasaki Frontale have qualified for the final of the 2025 AFC Champions League after an impressive win over Al Nassr in the first leg of the semi-final tie.
The former Japanese champions took apart Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al Nassr in convincing fashion to the dismay of the home fans in Riyadh.
Tatsuya Ito put the visitors ahead in the 10th minute as he buried a rebound into the top corner from the edge of the box.
Former Liverpool forward Sadio Mane equalized in the 28th minute for Al Nassr as his shot deflected into the back of the net.
Cristiano Ronaldo almost put his side ahead but his header came off the bar as Al Nassr mounted pressure on the visitors.
However, the former Japanese champions struck again just before time. Yuto Ozeki powered a low drive from the edge of the box to put Kawasaki ahead.
Akihiro Ienaga found himself in space and latched unto a precise pass in the box before spotting it inot the middle of goal in the 77th minute.
With three minutes left in regular time, substitute Ayman Yahya pulled a goal back to Al Nassr to reduce the deficit.
Unfortunately, Kawasaki Frontale held on to the narrow lead as the match ended 3-2.
