Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Osaka: An extra-time goal from Brazilian midfielder Fabricio helped Kashima Antlers beat Kawasaki Frontale 2-1 on Sunday to secure a fifth Emperor’s Cup title and complete a memorable league and cup double.
Shuto Yamamoto’s firm header gave J.League champions Kashima the lead on 42 minutes at Osaka’s Suita Stadium, before Yu Kobayashi drew Kawasaki level early in the second half with a fine angled drive.
However, substitute Fabricio was on hand to seal the win in the 94th minute and cap a sensational season for Kashima who earlier this month narrowly lost to Real Madrid in the FIFA Club World Cup final.
"We won the league and qualified for the (FIFA) Club World Cup, and for the players it really stung losing in the final. They wanted to win this title at all costs and that showed in their character today," said Kashima coach Masatada Ishii.
"I put three substitutes on in the hope that we could get the job done in 90 minutes. We couldn't and it went to 120 minutes, but the players squeezed out every last drop," he added.
Both Kashima and Kawasaki will compete in the 2017 edition of the AFC Champions League.
Kashima have been drawn in Group E alongside Thailand’s Muangthong United and two yet to be determined Play-off winners, while Kawasaki find themselves in Group G where they have Chinese powerhouse Guangzhou Evergrande, Suwon Samsung Bluewings from Korea Republic and Hong Kong’s Eastern SC for company.
Photo: AFP