Kawasaki Frontale coach Shigetoshi Hasebe hailed his young players after they “stepped up” to reach the AFC Champions League final by stunning Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al Nassr.
Frontale will play another Saudi side, Al Ahli, in Saturday’s final after prevailing 3-2 in a fierce test against Al Nassr three days after being taken to extra time in their quarter-final.
Advertisement
Despite having only 25 percent possession on Wednesday night Frontale went 3-1 up in the 76th minute and were holding on comfortably until Ayman Yahya pulled one back three minutes from time.
Al Nassr, who also had former Premier League strikers Sadio Mane and Jhon Duran in their ranks, and ex-Inter Milan midfielder Marcelo Brozovic, threw everything at the tiring Kawasaki players in search of an equaliser.
The 40-year-old Ronaldo could not convert three chances in the dying moments, leaving his hopes of adding the Asian crown to his five UEFA Champions League victories in tatters.
Hasebe said fatigue after Kawasaki’s 3-2 extra-time win against Qatar’s Al Sadd had led him to turn to the fresh legs of 19-year-old Soma Kanda and Yuto Ozeki, 20, who ran their hearts out before being substituted at half-time.
Advertisement
“We went 120 minutes just three days ago so I had to make some tough decisions,” said Hasebe, whose bold selection was rewarded as Ozeki scored Kawasaki’s second goal in the 41st minute.
“Some players were close to cramping and we had to make changes, but thankfully there were no injuries. That tells me the plan worked well.
“Our two young players stepped up. Their main job was to contain Brozovic but they also contributed well going forward,” he added.
It will be Kawasaki’s first Champions League final and they will face Al Ahli at their home King Abdullah Sports City stadium in Jeddah.
Advertisement
“We want to deliver another surprise in the final,” said Hasebe. “I’m proud we upset the expectations tonight.”
Al Nassr coach Stefano Pioli said Frontale’s intensity was pivotal.
“Kawasaki surprised us with their level,” said the Italian.
“Our biggest issue was a lack of discipline and too many mistakes, we didn’t play to our potential.
“We knew the opponents’ style but we just weren’t good enough.”
bur-dh/pst