Japanese side Kawasaki Frontale eliminates Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al Nassr in 5-goal thriller to reach AFC Champions League final

Kawasaki Frontale defeated Al Nassr to reach 2024/25 AFC Champions League final

By Emmanuel Akyereko
(Managing Editor)

Japanese side Kawasaki Frontale has reached the final of the 2024/25 AFC Champions League final after defeating a Cristiano Ronaldo-led Al Nassr side in a semi-final clash on Wednesday night at the King Saud University Stadium in Riyadh.

In a game strategically controlled by the J1 League side from Kanagawa, Ronaldo was summarily pocketed by 20-year-old central defender Kota Takai as the Portugal captain enjoyed just little opportunities in the keenly contested game before 28,810 expectant fans.

The game had to travel for just 10 minutes before Tatsuya Ito struck the opening goal for Azzurro Nero with a sensational drive that sailed unstoppably into Bento’s net.

18 minutes later, Sadio Mane drew level for the Saudi Pro League side as he levelled the scoring on the 28th minute mark.

Kawasaki once again punished Al Nassr as a loose ball found the unmarked Yuto Ozeki just around the area 4 minutes before the interval to restore the lead for the Japanese side.

However, Ronaldo could have put Al Nassr into the lead on the 32nd minute as he watched his header from a Marcelo Brozovic cross only rattle the crossbar.

Matters got worse for the Saudis when 38-year-old midfielder Akihiro Ienaga powered home a strike inside the 76 minutes to seemingly kill off any fightback spirit.

While the struggle was ongoing in the Kawasaki defence between Ronaldo and Takai, Ayman Yahya fired in a rocket in the 87th minute to give Nassr faint hopes.

Ronaldo saw his last-gasp free kick stopped by the legs of Louis Thebault-Yamaguchi in the Kawasaki post.

The Japanese side will now come face to face with another Saudi side Al Ahli on May 4, 2025 at the King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah.

The 2024/25 final will be the first Kawasaki in the club’s 28-year history.