Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Kashima: Substitute Hiroyuki Takasaki scored with the last touch of the game deep into stoppage time as Japan’s Kashima Antlers kept alive their hopes of reaching the last 16 of the AFC Champions League as Tuesday’s 2-1 win ended the perfect record of Group H leaders and former winners Guangzhou Evergrande.
Yasushi Endo’s first half penalty opened the scoring for the J.League side, who had lost their last three games in the competition including last month’s 4-3 defeat by Guangzhou in China, only for Brazilian Elkeson to equalise for the 2013 champions with 16 minutes remaining.
But with Takasaki heading home Gaku Shibasaki’s free-kick in the fourth minute of stoppage time at Kashima Soccer Stadium having been introduced with barely 10 minutes remaining, Kashima are now just two points behind second place duo Western Sydney Wanderers and FC Seoul after the pair earlier shared a 1-1 draw in Australia.
Chinese Super League champions Guangzhou, meanwhile, despite seeing their 100% start to the campaign ended, remain four points clear at the top of the table with two games remaining.
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Cautious Cerezo plays down Kashima win over Evergrande
The visitors started the contest brightly, but Guangzhou found themselves behind after 19 minutes as Endo confidently converted from the penalty spot after seeing his cross blocked by the arm of Korea Republic defender Kim Young-gwon who was standing just inside the 18-yard area.
Guangzhou were able to resume their edge in terms of attacking threats despite the early setback and were only denied an equaliser 11 minutes before half-time as Kashima goalkeeper Hitoshi Sogahata was at full-stretch to turn Elkeson’s free-kick onto the post with an eye-catching one-handed save.
Guangzhou striker Ricardo Goulart, having scored six goals in three AFC Champions League games including twice last month against Kashima, headed wide just before half-time with Kashima’s defence able to keep the Brazilian quiet for much of the first 45 minutes.
And Kashima thought they had doubled their advantage six minutes into the second half, but Guangzhou were saved by the assistant referee’s flag after goalkeeper Li Shuai could only parry Takahide Umebachi’s low angled drive from just outside of the area.
But with 16 minutes remaining Guangzhou’s second half pressure paid off as Elkeson held off defender Gen Shoji on the edge of the six yard area to prod home Gao Lin’s chipped cross.
Kashima, though, were able to recover and in the fourth minute of stoppage time substitute Takasaki was on hand to head home Shibasaki’s free-kick with the final whistle sounding before Guangzhou were able to kick-off.
Photo: WSG