Shandong Taishan, a club from China reached Quarter-Final after beating Kawasaki Frontale scoring 4-2 in the AFC Champions League 2023/24 Round of 16 EAST Zone at Todoraki Stadium, Kawasaki.
Kawasaki Frontale is the side won the first match 3-2, and Shandong, visiting team set to aiming for a comeback.
Frontale went on the defensive from the beginning and conceded a goal in the 8th minute of the first half. Tainan lost the ball to midfielder Li Yuan-yi and raised a cross, which forward Crisan met with a header. At this point, they were trailing by a total of 3-3 in the two games.
Frontale wanted to control the pace while retaining possession of the ball, and gradually began to pass the ball around. However, they conceded their second goal in the 24th minute of the first half. When Wakisaka’s left CK was cut by the opponent, they were able to start a counter attack. Midfielder Valeri Kazaishvili delivered a cross on the outside right, and defender Gao Junyi, who was running at the forefront, slid the ball past him. The ball hit the right post of the goal and crossed the line, making the score 0-2. The score was 3-4 on aggregate for the two games.
While Frontale was in a bad mood, the new players regained the momentum. In the 30th minute of the first half, Miura brought in the ball himself, but although it didn’t connect to Ellison, Yamamoto was able to get it in on the left side. Miura caught the through ball with the left side of the PA while shifting the opponent’s timing. He fired a left-footed shot with all his might and hit the right corner of the goal for his first goal since joining the team and his first professional goal. The score was 1-2, bringing the total of the two games to 4-4.
After that, Frontale’s characteristic delicate pass-work began to function and they closed in on the enemy. Although they created many good chances, they were unable to score any additional points and the first half ended.
In the second half, Frontale continued to take the lead. Then, 59th minute, he scored his long-awaited second goal. Wakisaka plays a through ball from midfield to the right side. Ienaga raised a cross with his right foot, which was met by Marcinho in front of the goal, but it hit the post. However, Ellison powerfully pushed in with his left foot. The score was tied at 2-2, and they won 5-4 in total.
However, Shandong also showed tenacity. 73th minute, Cryzan cut in from the left side. In front of the PA, his right foot evaded the block of Frontale and sent it into the left corner of the goal. They won 2-3, and were 5-5 in total over the two games.
In the 80th minute, Frontale’s Kitita stole the ball in midfield and Wakisaka connected. When Yamamoto sent a direct through ball to the front line, Ellison was brought down one-on-one with goalkeeper Wang Da-Lei. GK One was given a red card for blocking a clear scoring opportunity, but the game was immediately checked by the Video Assistant Referee (VAR). Ellison was ruled offside in the previous play, and goalkeeper One’s red card was rescinded.
As the second half entered additional time, both teams threatened to score. However, it was Shandong who scored. Jadson pushed it into the goal from the right CK.
The match ended just like that, and Frontale fell behind to score 2-4 and 5-6 in total, missing out on advancing to the top eight for the first time in seven years.
Credit Photo : AFC
