Kawasaki Frontale captured the Qatari powerhouse Al Sadd and advanced to the semifinals of the Asian Champions League elite.
On the 28th (Korean time), Kawasaki defeated Al Sadd 3-2 after extra time in the quarterfinals of the 2024-2025 season Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Champions League elite (ACLE) held at the Prince Abdullah Al Faisal Stadium in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, marking the club's first-ever advancement to the semifinals.
In this match, Kawasaki recorded a possession rate of 34%-66%, but showcased more efficient offense with 7 shots on target compared to Al Sadd's 4. The result was clear. With this victory, Kawasaki became the only East Asian team to advance to the semifinals, while teams like Gwangju FC, Yokohama F. Marinos, and Buriram United were all eliminated by West Asian teams.
The match exploded into action from the early stages. In the 4th minute, Akihiro Ienaga broke through the right side and delivered a smooth consolidation, allowing Erickson to finish with his right foot and score the opening goal. However, just five minutes later, a foul by Al Sadd allowed Otavio to equalize.
Kawasaki did not waver. In the 21st minute, Marcinho broke through the defense with dazzling speed to regain the lead. However, in the 26th minute of the second half, they conceded again to Al Sadd's Claudinho, leading to extra time.
The dramatic outcome was decided in extra time. In the 9th minute of extra time, Segawa Yusuke intercepted the ball deep in the opponent's territory and passed it to Shinya Yamada, who in turn set up captain Yasu Waki for the winning goal with a right-footed shot despite the pain of cramping.
Afterwards, Kawasaki calmly defended against Al Sadd's relentless onslaught, maintaining their one-goal lead until the end.
This victory is a pivotal milestone in Kawasaki's club history. While Kawasaki has been an 'absolute powerhouse' domestically, having won the J-League four times in five years, it has never advanced past the quarterfinals in Asian competitions. Even during the time when players like Kaoru Mitoma (Brighton), Leo Hatate (Celtic), Hidemasa Morita (Sporting), and Ko Itakura (Borussia Mönchengladbach) were active, they could not reach the semifinals.
This season has been different. Under head coach Shigetoshi Hasebe, Kawasaki has undergone changes. They shifted from an obsession with possession-based overwhelming game management to a more realistic style of football that combines organized defense and quick counterattacks. The result has been successful. By defeating Qatar’s strongest team Al Sadd in a tense extra-time match, they have finally proven their presence on the Asian stage.
Kawasaki will face Al Nassr (Saudi Arabia) in the semifinals on May 1, featuring superstars like Cristiano Ronaldo, Sadio Mané, and John Duran.
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