On March 12, 2025, the second leg of the Round 16 of the AFC Champions League Elite (ACLE) unfolded with thrilling soccer action as Kawasaki Frontale decisively defeated Shanghai Shenhua 4-0 at the Uvance Todoroki Stadium, achieving a 4-1 aggregate victory to secure their place in the quarterfinals.
After suffering a narrow 0-1 loss to the Chinese side in the first leg, Kawasaki Frontale entered their home match with determination. The rain-soaked pitch did not dampen their spirits as they pressed forward from the start, yearning for goals to overturn the deficit.
Early opportunities arose, including a significant moment for Tatsuki Ito, who drove down the right side. Collaboratively working with teammate Yasuto Wakizaka, Ito delivered a fast low cross. Despite the promising setup, Marcinho was unable to find the net with his attempt. The relentless assault paid off, though, when Ao Tanaka broke the deadlock.
At the 24th minute, Tanaka executed a precise and powerful shot from just outside the box, pushing the ball to the right corner of the goal, much to the delight of the home crowd. This goal leveled the aggregate score at 1-1, breathing new life and energy back to Frontale's ambitions.
While they dominated portions of the game, the first half saw another near miss as Kota Takai found the net following a corner kick by Wakizaka; yet, the goal was disallowed due to a foul by Elison, leaving the score 1-0 as the teams headed to the locker rooms.
The second half opened with Kawasaki Frontale continuing their aggressive approach, seeking added goals. Their persistence paid off once again when, at 64 minutes, Elison scored from close range after receiving a well-placed cross from Tanaka, stretching their lead to 2-1 on aggregate.
Just minutes later, Sasaki’s early contribution included setup for another beautiful play. After creating space on the left, Marcinho's cross was calmly finished off by Ito, who slotted home to extend the advantage to 3-1. Not content with their lead, the Frontale players pushed forward relentlessly.
During injury time, Marcinho capped off the team’s prolific performance with another goal, sealing the match at 4-0. The final score and the aggregate result, 4-1, confirmed Kawasaki Frontale's advancement to the quarterfinals, marking their place among the top clubs of Asia.
Fans celebrating on social media expressed their pride, with comments like, "Kawasaki is too strong!" and “What a fantastic goal spree!" hinting at the growing expectations of the side as they aim for their first Asian championship.
Contributing to Kawasaki's early success, Sasaki's equalizer was pivotal, showcasing the team’s resolve and tactical prowess throughout this thrilling encounter. The next stage for the Frontale squad will see them participating in the quarterfinals scheduled for April 25-26, with their opponents to be determined shortly.
Meanwhile, the day also highlighted Vissel Kobe’s tough loss against Gwangju FC, which ended their tournament run. Despite holding onto a 2-0 lead after their first leg, Vissel failed to convert their away game opportunities, eventually concluding their match at 0-3, leading to a 2-3 aggregate defeat.
This outcome illustrated the unpredictable nature of knockout stage tournaments, as Vissel Kobe faced moments of adversity. Although they began the game needing just to maintain the scoreline for qualification, they succumbed to two goals from Gwangju, managing only to level the aggregate by the end of extra time.
Despite attempts to rally, including near misses and several offensive thrusts directed by Daiju Sasaki and Yuta Osako, Vissel couldn’t claw back and were unable to find the net, allowing Gwangju to dominate the final moments and secure their progression.
The contrasting fortunes of the two Japanese clubs emphasized the ups and downs of the competition, with Kawasaki celebrating promotion to the next round, whereas Vissel reflected on missed potential and the challenges faced during their away fixtures.
With these matches marking significant developments, Kawasaki Frontale sets their eyes firmly on making history by bucking past failures and claiming their long-desired continental title, showcasing the potential of Japanese football on the world stage.