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00:00:00For Al Nasser, twice semi-finalists in this AFC Champions League,
00:00:06the elite competition of Asian football,
00:00:09and they are looking to make it through to the final.
00:00:12And, of course, they've got Cristiano Ronaldo, who is leading the charge.
00:00:17There's Corkil in the commentary box alongside analyst Rhys Rosh and Rai.
00:00:21And, Rosh, well, the introduction of Ronaldo to Saudi football,
00:00:26it is designed for occasions like this.
00:00:29Yeah, it certainly is.
00:00:30I mean, he's been incredibly successful in his career.
00:00:32You look at all the European Champions League titles that he has won,
00:00:36this is something that he will be desperate to win as well, to get on that CV.
00:00:41It's going to be a real test for this Kawasaki Frontale side,
00:00:45expecting a soak-and-counter sort of approach from the Japanese team,
00:00:50and it's a strategy that was very effective for them in their last match against Al Saad.
00:00:56So it's going to be down to Al Nasser to try and break through that defensive shape of Kawasaki Frontale.
00:01:05They are just going through a little bit of a transition at the moment, Kawasaki Frontale,
00:01:09after the legendary coach Janiki left.
00:01:12They're just trying under coach Hasebe to re-establish themselves as one of the top teams in Japan.
00:01:18Well, a place in the semi-finals of the AFC Champions League elite does exactly that.
00:01:22But I think if you were to ask anybody out on the street,
00:01:28would the only survivor from the eastern region of the Asian Football Confederation regions make it through to the final?
00:01:35Not many would say yes, Ross.
00:01:37Yeah, but here they are. I mean, look, Al Nasser come into this, they are the favourites.
00:01:43You look at the names on the team sheet, and we'll get into that in greater detail.
00:01:47But it's an opportunity for Kawasaki Frontale to create a bit of history of their own
00:01:51and to send a big message here.
00:01:54Would be a huge shock, a big upset, but they're set up for that, this Frontale side.
00:01:59There will be no fear from them.
00:02:00Match referees and assistants are from Australia and Korea Republic.
00:02:07They will come out first, and then a little bit of a change in how the players are introduced.
00:02:14They are introduced one by one, and they get a name check as well.
00:02:19Just a little something the AFC are doing to brighten things up,
00:02:23make the players more available to the crowd.
00:02:2662,000 capacity here, it won't be full.
00:02:29But it will be for the final on Saturday, rest assured on that.
00:02:34Alireza Fagani leads the match officials out.
00:02:38We'll give him a proper introduction a little bit later on.
00:02:41But that is the scene ahead of the semi-final and the team introductions.
00:02:59One by one, the players are introduced and the first man out, Cristiano Ronaldo, needs no introduction.
00:03:12They capped him. He's followed by Brazilian international goalkeeper, Benton, who's been a safe last line of defence.
00:03:29Saudi international's Sultan Al Ghannam, followed by Mohamed Simakhan, a 40 million US dollar signing from Leipzig.
00:03:38After him comes another Saudi international, Ali Ali Hassan, alongside him.
00:03:44Now at Bashal, plays at left-back, 12 caps for Saudi Arabia.
00:03:50Marcelo Brozovic, man of the match in the quarter-final victory.
00:03:54And Jon Duran, who's got four goals in his last two AFC Champions League League games.
00:03:59Ottavio, the Brazilian-born Portuguese international, will be coming out.
00:04:05After him, we've got Ali Lajami, who holds his place in the line-up ahead of Eric Laporte.
00:04:11And Sadio Mane, the Senegalese international, who has won just about everything he can in the game.
00:04:16Last one out for Al Nasser.
00:04:20Mariyama, the 35-year-old, has got a big role to play in the absence of the injured Jessiel at the heart of defence.
00:04:29Yamaguchi, the goalkeeper, is a 1.85 keeper signed at the start of this season.
00:04:35Tachibanada will come through next after Takakodai, the one current international in the squad.
00:04:44Miura has got a cap, the number 13, he comes through.
00:04:48Van Der Wermerskirken.
00:04:52Van Der Wermerskirken will get an introduction as well, as he makes his first start in this elite finals.
00:05:02The Brazilian winger, flying winger, Marcino, comes through ahead of the previously mentioned side, Van Der Wermerskirken.
00:05:16And last man in the line is Yuki Yanomoto, who will be in the heart of midfield.
00:05:22Nervous-looking group of players as they came out there, Kawasaki, Rich Ross and Ryan.
00:05:28Yeah, I mean, I'm looking forward to seeing how some of these young players handle the pressure here of this semi-final.
00:05:35You've got 19-year-old Somakanda leading the line.
00:05:39He's only played about seven minutes in this competition.
00:05:41But he has scored, he has picked up an assist in the four minutes that he was on the pitch against Buriram.
00:05:47He's a talent to keep an eye on.
00:05:49Yuto Ozeki will be playing just in behind him, 20 years of age, one for the future as well.
00:05:54So it's a big, big moment for these youngsters.
00:05:57The experienced heads in this side, the likes of Marcino, will be expected to make a big contribution in those counter-attacking moments.
00:06:03Ito as well on the other flank.
00:06:05They do have good speed going forward, and that's why they'll be looking for those attacking transitions.
00:06:10Yuichi Maruyama needs to be solid at the back, along with Kento Tachibanada and Yuki Yamamoto in those central midfield positions.
00:06:17Players coming through the line. Opportunity beckons, though.
00:06:22This is a wonderful stage for these Japanese players.
00:06:26Only one current international against a bevy of international players on the other side of the equation.
00:06:33Let's run through you that bevy of internationals.
00:06:36Al Nasser Club with Stefano Pioli, who became coach in September.
00:06:39He's got international Brazilian goalkeeper Bento in goal.
00:06:42Defensively, Ali Lajami keeps Aymeric Laporte out of the starting 11th in midfield.
00:06:49Marcelo Brozovic really is the key to this.
00:06:51And Cristiano Ronaldo and John Duran up front.
00:06:54Ronaldo was playing in the UEFA European competition in 2004 for Portugal, when Duran was just six months of age.
00:07:05Now he's 40 and is chasing even more titles.
00:07:14Match referee is Ali Reza Fagani, the Iranian-born, now Australian referee.
00:07:20He's very good in that he doesn't use his cards much.
00:07:25Muhammad Taki and Nazmi Nazirudin, a Singaporean-Malaysian combination in the VAR box.
00:07:32As for Kawasaki frontally, well, Sugatoti Hasebe has made six changes from the side that went through against Al Saad.
00:07:41Yamaguchi retains his placing goal at the back.
00:07:43Van Vermeskirken is the only change.
00:07:46Taki Bernardo comes into the heart of midfield.
00:07:48And up front, Yuto Ezeki gets the job, a very important job as the number 10.
00:07:55And Kanda, the 19-year-old, gets his very first start in the AFC Champions League elite, although he has scored.
00:08:02As usual, the travelling fans will make a lot of noise.
00:08:06They are penned into one corner of this Kavanagh stadium.
00:08:09The yellow-shirted Al Nasser fans are at the other end.
00:08:13We are all set. Opportunity beckons.
00:08:16A place in the final for the very first time.
00:08:19Ronaldo, obviously, the focus.
00:08:21But if they can keep Ronaldo quiet, well, they've got to worry about Sadio Mane.
00:08:25And if they can keep Mane quiet, they've got to worry about John Geram.
00:08:28This is a huge, huge task for Kawasaki frontally.
00:08:32Which is why it's going to be so important not just to focus on the individuals that Al Nasser have.
00:08:37They're going to have to work defensively very hard, keep that discipline, keep that structure and that shape.
00:08:43We saw it against Al Saad.
00:08:45They didn't allow Al Saad opportunities to play right through the middle and that's going to be the plan here this evening as well.
00:08:51Drop deep, soak up the pressure, be nice and tight between the lines and try and frustrate Al Nasser for as long as you can.
00:08:57They won't want to concede any early goals if they can try and hurt Al Nasser in those counter-attacking moments and potential set pieces that they might get.
00:09:04So the countdown to this second semi-final is on.
00:09:10Al Aqli awake the winners in the final.
00:09:13AFG Champions League elite semi-final.
00:09:16Kawasaki frontally going from left to right against Saudi Arabia's Al Nasser.
00:09:22Although it's in Saudi Arabia, it's not a local game for Al Nasser.
00:09:28They've got to make the journey down from Riyadh and they've made a fast start there.
00:09:34Ronaldo available on this left-hand side, immediately getting involved.
00:09:38Mane makes a run, Ronaldo tries a fancy trick.
00:09:41And Kota Takai is in there with an early tack and...
00:09:45Duran has an effort poured away.
00:09:48The flag goes up, I think there was an offside against Duran, but that's...
00:09:52Oh, it's been given as a corner.
00:09:55Mike, the reverse, so an important early stay for Yamaguchi.
00:10:03Could have had another early goal in this competition.
00:10:05John Duran straight in behind, he's been in a good run of form.
00:10:13First corner cleared up the near post, that was important.
00:10:17There have been so many early goals in this competition.
00:10:20The one thing Kawasaki cannot do is be on the receiving end.
00:10:24They used to themselves, scored an early goal in their quarter-final.
00:10:28Barely five minutes in.
00:10:30Beto is closed now by Somakanda.
00:10:33Ronaldo lets that one run through.
00:10:36Anuichi Mariyama is there.
00:10:38But there is John Duran, an early sight to a goal.
00:10:41Yeah, it's pretty much textbook here.
00:10:43It's what you thought, try and go towards that far post.
00:10:45It takes a bit of a deflection of the defender there,
00:10:48which just takes the pace of the shot away from it.
00:10:52It allows Louis Yamaguchi to make a save.
00:10:55Yamaguchi was, aside from the mistake he made with Ottavio's first equaliser
00:10:59against the Alsat, he did really well to recover and maintain his concentration,
00:11:04make some big saves for Frontale in that game.
00:11:07Ali Lajami showing up a little bit of carelessness and played down the line by Naurav Bouchard.
00:11:14A little touch back by Ottavio.
00:11:16Not the Ottavio who scored in the first game.
00:11:20This is the Brazilian-born Portuguese international.
00:11:23Mane the target.
00:11:28And the Dutch-born van Vermeskirken safely back to its goalkeeper.
00:11:35They've got a French-born player and a Dutch-born player,
00:11:40but both moved to Japan when they were very early.
00:11:44So very much homegrown.
00:11:49Kibarnada.
00:11:50A little think over the top.
00:11:52Pozekie can look wide.
00:11:56Ito.
00:11:57Ito.
00:11:58It's a lovely ball from Ito, and it's come off Mohamed Simakan.
00:12:04Yeah, he wasn't quite sure.
00:12:05You know, he's having a word with Ali Al-Hassan,
00:12:08as if to say he should have cut that one out,
00:12:10because he couldn't react.
00:12:11He thought Ali Al-Hassan was going to get to this.
00:12:14This comes off his thigh, and he's looking on.
00:12:16He's hoping it goes past the post.
00:12:19That could have gone anywhere.
00:12:25Head coach Stefano Pioli.
00:12:26Serie A winner with Milan in 21-22.
00:12:31Vastly experienced coach.
00:12:32This is his first time outside of Italy, though.
00:12:37First corner of this match to Kawasaki.
00:12:42Six blue shirts in the penalty area.
00:12:47Al-Maccino was the one who got there.
00:12:48He'll break out to Ito.
00:12:54Ito.
00:12:55Sharp little dribble to the byline.
00:12:58That'll be a second corner for Kawasaki,
00:13:00and they'll take encouragement from this start.
00:13:03Well, that's the quality they have in those wider positions.
00:13:05Tatsuya, Ito, Martino.
00:13:08This occasion it was Ito.
00:13:10He's looking to dance his way into the box.
00:13:12Needed a last-ditch challenge there from Sultan Al-Ghanam.
00:13:15Nice early pressure from Frontale.
00:13:25Again, six blue shirts in the penalty area.
00:13:27Two just outside.
00:13:29Bento pulls it away.
00:13:32Otavio is there.
00:13:34The ball had gone out of play, though, according to the assistant referee.
00:13:39Went out and then came back into play.
00:13:44came back into play.
00:13:45There was no infringement, no contact there on the Bento from Ozecki.
00:13:57Now I push out.
00:13:58Both full-backs will do their best to get forward.
00:14:01For Al Nasser.
00:14:03Feeling Simikan and Al-Ghani with Brozovic in front of them.
00:14:07Well, you see what Frontale are doing here at the moment.
00:14:11Ozecki and Kanda are taking turns just to make sure that they try and pin Marcelo Brozovic
00:14:15or cut out that line of pass into him.
00:14:18There's a lot of communication going on.
00:14:19This is going to be so important for them.
00:14:21And when they do step forward,
00:14:22and then they're saying to the central midfielders,
00:14:24you come along with us as well.
00:14:25Because they don't want Brozovic running the game for Al Nasser
00:14:28in those central midfield areas.
00:14:30Ozecki doing the scurrying there.
00:14:33He's 20.
00:14:34So Makanda is 19.
00:14:36What an experience for them.
00:14:39Yeah, and I like that.
00:14:40We just had a look at Shigetoshi Hasebe there.
00:14:42He's giving some experience to his younger players.
00:14:45Ozecki's already had pretty decent minutes on the domestic league.
00:14:50Kanda just about coming through.
00:14:52Was playing for Japan's under-20s at the under-20 Asian Cup.
00:14:55Marcino.
00:14:57Marcino!
00:14:59Gosh, amazing dribble from the Brazilian.
00:15:06Yeah, it's really good work.
00:15:07Really good pressing from Marcinho.
00:15:09Again, on to Brozovic.
00:15:11Just making sure he doesn't have time on the ball.
00:15:14Because once he gets into a rhythm,
00:15:15Brozovic can really start to dictate the pace of play for Al Nasser.
00:15:19So that was so important there.
00:15:20And you can just see with Marcino.
00:15:23Sends his shot wide.
00:15:24But when they set up here, frontale,
00:15:26when they don't have the ball,
00:15:27Marcino and Ito are tucking in.
00:15:29Nice and narrow as well.
00:15:31He's coming into those half spaces.
00:15:33You have a look at Cristiano Ronaldo's position as well.
00:15:35Number seven, near side of your screen.
00:15:36He's playing in that left half space,
00:15:37along with Sadio Mane just in front of him.
00:15:38They're just looking to try and block off those lines of pass into those players.
00:15:42Takai takes the misplaced pass.
00:15:46Paul comes in from Ali Hassan.
00:15:48Referee plays on.
00:15:49Marcino out wide.
00:15:51Three blue shirts in the penalty area.
00:15:55Yuki Yamamoto available.
00:15:57This is Miura.
00:15:58One Japanese cap for Soto Miura.
00:16:05What I like about Hasebe's selections here as well,
00:16:07he's showing no fear.
00:16:09A lot of trust in the younger players to go out there and do a job.
00:16:17Miura rather scoops that.
00:16:19Unnecessarily, it's a gift of a goal kick for Al Nasser.
00:16:22That's a pressure on Brozovic again.
00:16:32He has to drop very deep to try and receive when he breaks free here.
00:16:37Mane under pressure from Kota Takai.
00:16:41Brozovic.
00:16:44Simakam.
00:16:47Now I push up.
00:16:48Closed down by Ito.
00:16:53Ali Hassan in the deep role.
00:17:08Ali Ladjami.
00:17:10Ali Hassan spins it out wide, Otavio nice little flick.
00:17:15Hassan spins it out wide, Ottavio, nice little flick, Ottavio is there, pulls it back, looks for Cristiano Ronaldo, good defending.
00:17:27Ottavio Bernardo doing very nicely, that's rather given away, now Apuchel can pick up an easy possession.
00:17:39When they do have the ball, Kawasaki have got to be careful, Yamaguchi is out of his penalty area to volley clear.
00:17:48Well, it's something they'll be quite comfortable with Kawasaki Frontale, they had a 33.5% possession against Al Saad,
00:17:55if you take a look at this ball played in behind, nice proactive goalkeeping from Louis Yamaguchi.
00:18:00But it's going back to the numbers from Frontale against Al Saad, not much in the way of possession,
00:18:05but they were so efficient, so effective, they still managed 13 shots from inside the opposition penalty area,
00:18:12managed 14 the whole game, those are some impressive numbers, 7 of them were on target,
00:18:18but they're quite comfortable to concede possession to these sides, just make sure that they're organised off the ball.
00:18:25They've only conceded 7 goals in their 10 AFC Champions League Elite matches,
00:18:36suggest they are organised, particularly with this man involved, Kota Takai.
00:18:41It's playing, play down wide to Marcinho, runs at Sultan Al-Ghanam, Marcinho is there,
00:18:54Ito!
00:18:54Oh! A wonderful volley from Tatsuya Ito, and Kawasaki lead inside 10 minutes.
00:19:06Brilliant from Ito, wonderful technique on that strike from Tatsuya Ito.
00:19:11How often do we see players blazing that over, there's so much control from Ito, he doesn't panic,
00:19:19there's a lot of focus in his effort here, and it's really well put away.
00:19:29Great touch, and he finds that space, just in behind that Al Nasser midfield, they keep going,
00:19:35wonderful work from Marcinho, with these step-overs, drives into the area, and look at this, he has so much time there.
00:19:46Watches it come all the way down onto his boot, wonderful strike.
00:19:51That is sweet, that technique, from Ito.
00:19:55He doesn't think about smashing it, he doesn't think about putting pace behind that, it's about control.
00:20:00And he just guides that in, almost into the top corner.
00:20:10Came from Germany, and what a fabulous introduction, another early call in this competition.
00:20:18Right then, let's see what Al Nasser have got in response.
00:20:21Obviously, we know that they've got quality, but you made, as did Coach Acebe, in yesterday's press conference.
00:20:31You can't play the players and the names, you've just got to play what's out on the pitch.
00:20:35Duran will chase.
00:20:37Duran's done well.
00:20:41Everyone talks about the names, the names on paper, games are played on grass.
00:20:45And this is the thing with the Japanese sides in this competition.
00:20:49And this is the thing with the Japanese sides in this competition.
00:20:55Ozeke plays it forward.
00:20:57Looks for the young striker, Somakanda.
00:21:03I was going to say, it's an issue that produces so much quality, so much talent.
00:21:08They always back themselves.
00:21:11Whatever side they're up against.
00:21:12Bouchard did well, but stepping in is Takai once again.
00:21:20Hard to believe the cut to Takai is only 20.
00:21:23As we look at Ito.
00:21:27It was a gorgeous finish.
00:21:28Ito loses out to Sadio Mane.
00:21:44Duran, big and strong, finds the Senegalese Mane.
00:21:49Real pressure on Sadio Mane from Kota Takai.
00:21:54Pretty good challenge here.
00:22:00Takai on the left foot anyway.
00:22:02Yep, he does go through on the right.
00:22:03Mane just steps across there.
00:22:05Gets some contact on the ball, Kota Takai.
00:22:07And he does go through the back door for Mane's leg.
00:22:09Brozovic will have Duran and Lajami and Simikan and, of course, Ronaldo.
00:22:16Has big bodies to aim for.
00:22:31Filled in by Brozovic.
00:22:33Just flicked off the head from Kota Takai.
00:22:36That's a good lead.
00:22:43His physical presence in central defence.
00:22:47Another young talent who's come through at Frontale.
00:22:54Massino with the clearance.
00:22:57Otavio.
00:23:02Otavio's found a bit of space.
00:23:03Otachi Banada does well.
00:23:08Snuffs that space now.
00:23:09But there was a little bit of space there for Otavio.
00:23:15Yeah, this is good defensive work from Frontale.
00:23:20Otachi Banada who came on against Al Saad.
00:23:23Lane in that contest.
00:23:24So he'll be the fresher of the two central midfielders there between him and Yuki Yamamoto who had a very good outing.
00:23:30It is all change for Kawasaki.
00:23:36Six changes from the side that started.
00:23:39But nearly everybody apart from another striker, Soma Kanda, did get some game time.
00:23:44So good use of the squad by Coach Acebe.
00:23:46Domestically, they're the draw specialists at the moment.
00:23:52They've drawn four of their last five J League games.
00:23:58It takes a lot of courage from a coach to put in youngsters, untested youngsters at this level, in a match of this magnitude.
00:24:06Credit to Acebe.
00:24:08Long ball over the top.
00:24:22Sultan Algana was in there.
00:24:23Tachi Banada first to react.
00:24:27Ito.
00:24:28Outlet on this right-hand side.
00:24:31Narrow when they defended.
00:24:32Pulled out wide when they attacked.
00:24:35Simakam gets the touch.
00:24:36And now Af will keep that in.
00:24:38And it's good that he's made the changes that he has, because they're going to have to do a lot of running here.
00:24:52It needs that freshness in the side.
00:24:58Ali Hassan, nice touch.
00:25:02Sultan Algana.
00:25:03Excellent tracking back by Yuki Yamamoto.
00:25:10Danger's not over yet, though.
00:25:15Mane gets the header in.
00:25:16It came off.
00:25:17Ronaldo.
00:25:19Now Af is there to pick things up.
00:25:21Lajami.
00:25:22Otavio.
00:25:22Otavio.
00:25:30Brozovic and Sultan.
00:25:34Tries the fancy ball through to Marcelo Brozovic.
00:25:38Doesn't quite come off.
00:25:41Chase from Kanda.
00:25:45Possession is being coughed up.
00:25:46Yamamoto.
00:25:47He nearly smuggled that one through.
00:26:01Possession once again.
00:26:03To a front, Tahle.
00:26:04Tati Banada.
00:26:09Loses out.
00:26:10Now Apuchel has done well.
00:26:12We've got a three-on-four break.
00:26:14Lovely movement from Ronaldo.
00:26:15John Duran.
00:26:16The Colombian.
00:26:19Got the angle for the shot, but skims off the outside of his boot.
00:26:23They won't want to get caught out on transitions like that, Kawasaki, Frontale.
00:26:29They did enough in the end to recover and just try and force John Duran into a shot from a wider position.
00:26:37It's not a high-quality chance.
00:26:41And Ronaldo was frustrated.
00:26:42He made a good run on towards the far side of the area.
00:26:46Duran was just backing himself to hit the target.
00:26:53In three of the four quarterfinals, it was the transition.
00:26:57As soon as the team lost the ball, the Saudi teams in particular were able to really hurt them.
00:27:03Off we get four-on-threes and three-on-twos.
00:27:06We saw the first instance of it there.
00:27:09Ottavio under pressure from Tati Banada.
00:27:15That tends to be the trend in modern football, catching our teams on the transition,
00:27:20because that's when that defensive structure is not quite in place.
00:27:27Mane starting down this left-hand side.
00:27:32Mohamed Simakam.
00:27:40Ronaldo trying to dictate things from deep.
00:27:44Long-range effort.
00:27:45Yamaguchi has that one sail wide.
00:27:51It's his teammates there to be frustrated with him there.
00:27:54Cristiano Ronaldo.
00:27:56Three options in front of him.
00:27:57The better one would have been to just lay it into Ottavio,
00:28:00who dropped off that defensive line.
00:28:03And he was quick to apologise there.
00:28:04Big names have joined an Al Nasser club that have won the title for a number of years.
00:28:18Al-Hilal are the big shots, or have been in recent seasons.
00:28:22The intention is to knock Al-Hilal away in Saudi Arabia,
00:28:25and also to progress on the AFC Champions League stage.
00:28:32At the moment, Al Nasser are trailing as we approach the 20th minute.
00:28:36Simakam is there.
00:28:39Sekhi does well.
00:28:43Mento launches one long, but only finds his coach.
00:28:49This opening 20 minutes, 75% of the ball to Al Nasser.
00:28:58Five shots, none of which have been on target.
00:29:13For Hasebi, trying to dictate things from the line.
00:29:17He's taking over from a legend, Aniki at Kawasaki.
00:29:26Yeah, we're incredibly successful under Toru and Aniki,
00:29:29but it was on the continental stage that they just tended to fall short.
00:29:35We look a lot better organised defensively under Hasebi,
00:29:38and that's because of all the time he spent with Avispa Fukuoka.
00:29:45Simakam.
00:29:47Watch that just a little bit too far, nearly had it taken off him.
00:29:53Quite right to point out, Somakanda and Yuto Ozeke are working very hard
00:29:57just to close things down.
00:30:01Yeah, look at Brozovic.
00:30:01He's trying to drop off the receive, and he has to get it in such a deep position.
00:30:05The moment Somakanda came across to this right-hand side,
00:30:07Ozeke then was switched on to come in to close down Brozovic.
00:30:10They're trying to shut down Al Nasser in those central midfield positions.
00:30:17That's a lot of chasing, though, for Ozeke.
00:30:19Saying that, it's also a lot of work for Brozovic to find that space,
00:30:23but he's found a little bit here.
00:30:24That's a lot of work for Brozovic.
00:30:2999 international cabs for the Croatian.
00:30:3299 international cabs for the Croatian.
00:30:33LAUGHTER and
00:30:44Marzino forces the error from Mohamed Simakhan.
00:30:53That's a really good closing down from Kanda and Ozecki,
00:30:57and Marzino as well.
00:30:59He saw that cue to press, which was a poor touch from Simakhan.
00:31:03I expected this sort of game from Kawasaki Frontale,
00:31:10especially as Dale wants to have gotten that early goal.
00:31:13Gives them the chance to just sit back a little bit more now
00:31:18and say to Al Nasser, you try to break us down, we'll work hard off the ball.
00:31:21But it's not just sitting back, is it?
00:31:25They're pushing as a unit.
00:31:27It's defensive-minded, but just trying to prevent Al Nasser.
00:31:32Al Nasser getting the ball to their danger men.
00:31:38Ali Al-Hassam, hassle by Ozeki, Mane does brilliantly.
00:31:43And look how quickly Marcinho is in there.
00:31:47Wins the ball off Ottavio, Ali Lajami does well.
00:31:53And again, no time on the ball for Marcelo Brozovic,
00:31:56who kicks the floor in frustration.
00:32:02A little hurried in possession again.
00:32:04Here's Brozovic.
00:32:08Impressive in the press when it's time to go and close down.
00:32:11That's what Frontale are doing.
00:32:13What I mean about not sitting back is that there's no pressure on that back line for Al Nasser.
00:32:25They know exactly what the role is, which is to shut off the options of passers into central midfield.
00:32:29And that's what they're doing.
00:32:30And that's why Al Nasser are struggling to get going in possession here.
00:32:34Here's Brozovic.
00:32:39And here's Brozovic.
00:32:40Ito.
00:32:41Simakam is there, only finds Sai Bermaskircon.
00:32:43Simakam is there, only finds side, Vermeskirchen, Ronaldo, and the instant pressure, he gives
00:32:58the ball away, Yamamoto hooks it higher, Ronaldo wins it back, Vermeskirchen pushed wide
00:33:07by Ozeki, Sotomayora, miscommunication with Martinho, Martinho on target in the quarter-final
00:33:27victory, fine goal it was too, dink over the goalkeeper, showed real pace,
00:33:37Mane, Ronaldo made runs ahead of him, Simakam under pressure, Brozovic, Yamamoto loses out,
00:34:07Duran, Kota Takai does wonderfully well, and will take the ball back in return, and this
00:34:16is Kota Takai striding forward, three on three, Kota Takai is going for the glory goal and
00:34:25then certainly transition again, six on five, not the best ball to Ronaldo.
00:34:29Excellent, from Vermeskirchen, but Takai here, I think he just got a little bit too excited
00:34:38there, he did so well to win it initially, and then drive forward with the ball, they just
00:34:44should have released Tassou Markanda and made a run onto the outside.
00:34:46Sadio Mane, Duran near post and that is Takai back defending.
00:34:53I tell you what, keep a real lookout for this boy in years to come.
00:34:59Yeah, I've been saying that for a while now, we're good at Takai, you know, trusted part
00:35:08of this Frontale side, getting significant minutes, big part of his development, and he's a huge talent.
00:35:14Jarmie's long throw, Takai is there, not the best header though, rather skimmed off the top of his head.
00:35:26Frontale survive that moment, Sultan Al-Gamaran.
00:35:31Rane can't get there, Taki Binada can clear, and this is Ozeke, looks for support outright, he gets it eventually.
00:35:42from Ito the goal scorer
00:35:49now I push out
00:35:56Sadio Mane waits
00:36:01Rozovich
00:36:04just cut out
00:36:12sometimes in these games if it's warm enough there's a water break that's designated
00:36:20it's not perceived to be warm enough for a water break
00:36:23so Kawasaki won't have that little bit of respite
00:36:28that ball is pinged over the top, now what Bachel does brilliantly to get there
00:36:33Mane
00:36:36Mane tries to create a shot, and Mane!
00:36:40well it's found the back of the net
00:36:43Yamaguchi seem to dive past the ball
00:36:46but Sadio Mane has got the equaliser
00:36:49it feels like it must have taken a touch on its way through
00:36:59let's have a closer look at this one, this Mane
00:37:04Ito does well to get there, closes down the angle for the first shot, yep
00:37:10it looks like it's taken just a little bit of a touch on Maruyama on its way through
00:37:18there's another side to this, it's taken two touches, one off the shoulder of Yuiichi Maruyama
00:37:25it just takes it away from the dive of Lui Yamaguchi, a little bit unlucky there frontale
00:37:31and Sadio Mane has created his own bit of luck
00:37:38third AFC champions league league goal for the Senegalese Sadio Mane
00:37:44and the decibel level in the stadium goes up as Ronaldo finds Mane
00:37:51formerly a Bayern Munich in Liverpool
00:37:54played in, looking for Ronaldo
00:37:56who's been a goal again in his career with Al Nasser
00:38:02Mane once again
00:38:05Mane once again
00:38:21complete miscommunication there
00:38:24Ronaldo
00:38:27who came short, the ball went long
00:38:30Bouchel
00:38:33Al Nasser
00:38:34Ronaldo flicking to Mane
00:38:37Oseki
00:38:43Soma did well
00:38:48and Yamamoto
00:38:49Miura comes in from left back
00:38:52and Miura's carried on his run down the line
00:38:55two in the penalty area
00:39:00two in the penalty area
00:39:01Marcino
00:39:02Marcino
00:39:03Marcino
00:39:04pulled away by Bento
00:39:06this time, enough blue shirts back
00:39:12Brozovic just slows things down, there's nothing really on
00:39:17Soltan
00:39:19Soltan
00:39:21carries on his run
00:39:22carries on his run
00:39:24and
00:39:25and
00:39:27and
00:39:28and
00:39:29and
00:39:30and
00:39:31and
00:39:32and
00:39:33and
00:39:34and
00:39:35and
00:39:36and
00:39:37and
00:39:51and
00:39:52and
00:39:53and
00:40:09and
00:40:10and
00:40:11and
00:40:12Ronaldo again coming short.
00:40:16Ronaldo just eased off the ball.
00:40:20Play there by Maruyama.
00:40:23Tachi, Ronaldo loses out to Brozovic.
00:40:26Maruyama is covering.
00:40:28Ball slid into Ronaldo.
00:40:32He's having a really solid season, is Yuchi Maruyama,
00:40:35playing a lot more than I think he would have expected.
00:40:38With the injuries to Jesse Allen and Kurumaya as well,
00:40:42so he's been a good option for them in central defence.
00:40:45And a couple of good challenges there,
00:40:47take it away from Ronaldo and then with that sliding tackle
00:40:50to put it out for a throw-in.
00:41:02Comes right the way through.
00:41:04That can only be one man who tries that audacious effort.
00:41:08Cristiano Ronaldo.
00:41:11Yeah, what a goal.
00:41:13Just gets the timing a little bit wrong there.
00:41:15Comes off the top of his foot.
00:41:29Scored one or two of them in his time.
00:41:31Come on!
00:41:32Come on!
00:41:33Come on!
00:41:34Come on!
00:41:35Make a good point about Jessiel not being available.
00:41:38Hamstring problems for the Brazilian.
00:41:40Dominant central defender.
00:41:42Oriama and Takai have carried the load.
00:41:46Ronaldo nicks it away, looks for Duran.
00:41:48Once again, Takai is in the right place.
00:41:50Votavio teases.
00:41:52Sultan Al-Ghanam finds Brozovic.
00:41:53Takai Bernada is almost playing as an auxiliary centre-back.
00:41:55He's that deep, because he has to be.
00:41:56Sultan Al-Ghanam onto Marcelo Brozovic.
00:41:57Brozovic looks for Ronaldo!
00:41:58Oh, you see what's happening here?
00:41:59Marcelo Brozovic is starting to find a little bit more space now.
00:42:00You see what's happening here?
00:42:01Marcelo Brozovic is starting to find a little bit more space now.
00:42:02Will be a corner,
00:42:12A corner!
00:42:21Can you see what's happening here?
00:42:23Marcelo Brozovic is starting to find a little bit more space now.
00:42:26there'll be a corner
00:42:32Ronaldo jumped early
00:42:35hung in the air
00:42:37it's very unfortunate
00:42:39danger's not over
00:42:41Brozovic once again
00:42:43Ronaldo the target
00:42:45he thought of another overhead kick
00:42:46comes to Mane
00:42:48scorer of the equaliser
00:42:50Mane once again
00:42:53cuts inside
00:42:54Takibana just gets an important touch
00:42:58Alilajami
00:42:59long way out
00:43:03plenty of power
00:43:04good chance this
00:43:07Brozovic smart play
00:43:09he's just running out of space
00:43:11but he has enough
00:43:12just to lift the ball into the area
00:43:15and he's got that wonderful ability
00:43:17Cristiano Ronaldo to get up so early
00:43:19and almost float
00:43:20through the air
00:43:21big chance
00:43:23Kawasaki's much changed team though
00:43:38although the
00:43:39possessional snaps are right against them
00:43:41they're still hanging in there
00:43:43we kick against Simakam
00:43:45not going too badly for Kawasaki Frontale
00:43:53but they will need to find these moments
00:43:55where they're just able to try and slow things down
00:43:57get a spell of possession
00:43:58ease that pressure on their back line
00:44:00and maybe cause a bit of concern
00:44:01for Al Nasser's defence
00:44:03Kakashi did well
00:44:07Dito with a little bit of time
00:44:10it's already across the mat
00:44:13no free kick from Alilajami
00:44:15to Zeki who's back
00:44:20immediately trying to challenge
00:44:22the adventurousness of youth
00:44:26Let's go.
00:44:56Otavio always has Sultanah Al-Khanem outside of him.
00:45:01Ronaldo beaten in the end.
00:45:04I go to Takai.
00:45:08Mane.
00:45:12Real Hasan.
00:45:19Otavio will have it.
00:45:26The chasing now from Kawasaki.
00:45:28Roche not quite as exuberant as it was in the opening 15 minutes.
00:45:34Yeah, this is, again, I expected this from Vitaliyan.
00:45:37It said they will be looking to just sit back in their own half.
00:45:40It's happening exactly as I thought it would.
00:45:42The danger here for them is they need to make sure that they don't allow on Nasser
00:45:46to build up too much of a momentum, because it's starting to look that way now.
00:45:50Yellow card for Ali Lajami for a neck-high tackle.
00:45:58Ozeke.
00:46:01Getting away from the Saudi international, first yellow card of the game.
00:46:06His first yellow card of these finals.
00:46:09Quite clearly there, it could be a play from Ozeke.
00:46:13They'll just need these moments here, Frontale, again, to slow things down.
00:46:20Have some time in possession.
00:46:23Oh.
00:46:23Could be another yellow card coming here.
00:46:28Sultan Al-Khanam.
00:46:29Certainly, referee Ali Reza is going over to at least have a word.
00:46:37Yeah, I mean, it's pretty cynical there, Sultan Al-Khanam.
00:46:40It should be a booking.
00:46:41I get the sense that if he hadn't booked Ali Lajami earlier,
00:46:45then he would have booked Sultan Al-Khanam for this.
00:46:47It shouldn't matter, because it should be a yellow card.
00:46:50That's a pretty late challenge there, he was well beaten.
00:46:57Ito.
00:46:59Takai.
00:47:01Simon.
00:47:03Jonas Gürken.
00:47:06Takai.
00:47:07He's looking for some movement up front.
00:47:09There is rather less movement from Kanda.
00:47:11I've been.
00:47:19Takai Bernada.
00:47:21Just pushes it a little bit too far.
00:47:24And Bouchard is in there.
00:47:27Ottavio over the top.
00:47:28Ronaldo has got the strength to hold off-cote to Takai.
00:47:33Ronaldo looks for Duran.
00:47:35And John Duran...
00:47:35Is offside anyway.
00:47:43Duran literally hitting the back of the net.
00:47:47Let's have a look at this one.
00:47:49It's that transition.
00:47:50He needs to be keeping himself onside in those situations, Cristiano Ronaldo.
00:47:57He's got a bit of pace as well just to get onto it.
00:47:59I could have quite believed that John Duran had actually missed from there.
00:48:06Wouldn't have counted in the end.
00:48:07Major League Soccer to the English Premier League.
00:48:16To the Saudi Professional League for John Duran.
00:48:19And 16 international caps as well.
00:48:23Brozovic with the free kick.
00:48:26Not being able to have the influence on the game that he'd like.
00:48:29And that I think many expected, Marcelo Brozovic.
00:48:32Bermeskirchen.
00:48:39Nowhere to go.
00:48:43Martino does well.
00:48:45And loses out to Brozovic.
00:48:48Sadio Mane.
00:48:51Ronaldo.
00:48:56Pick out Mane.
00:48:57Nice play by the teenage centre-forward.
00:49:04So Makanda.
00:49:10Monsignor.
00:49:16Behind Ozecki.
00:49:18Ito did well.
00:49:19And Ito's still going.
00:49:20Ito.
00:49:22Ito!
00:49:24And that's in.
00:49:25Ozecki is following up.
00:49:31And Kawasaki Frontale have retaken the lead.
00:49:37A first AFC Champions League goal for Ayute Ozecki.
00:49:46Now they're going to have to do it again, Al Nasser.
00:49:48But that's good following up from Ayute Ozecki.
00:49:50And again, it's a technical quality on display from Kawasaki Frontale.
00:49:55And that efficiency.
00:49:56They don't have much of the ball.
00:49:57They're not going to see much of it.
00:49:59But they're very good when they have it.
00:50:03Break forward.
00:50:04Very nicely there.
00:50:06And this player is coming into the area.
00:50:08And that's the key.
00:50:09And have a look at the role that Ito plays here.
00:50:12Because it's a loose pass into central midfield.
00:50:15And Tatsuya Ito makes that happen.
00:50:18Okay, gets a little bit of good fortune with a touchback into him off of Simakan.
00:50:22But it's because of his efforts here.
00:50:25He just keeps going.
00:50:26Tried to release Kanda.
00:50:28Falls nicely to Ozecki.
00:50:29And that's a really good finish.
00:50:31Goalkeeper so close to him.
00:50:33He has to control it.
00:50:36Bend it around Bento.
00:50:38Look at that.
00:50:38Beautiful camera shot.
00:50:40Wonderful replay on that angle.
00:50:43Shows you just how precise that finish was from Yuto Ozecki.
00:50:51Oh, my word.
00:50:54Kawasaki are spoiling what is meant to be the headline final.
00:50:59Kawasaki Frontale for 16.
00:51:02You are lost.
00:51:07Bento, I think, will be all right.
00:51:08He took a knock.
00:51:10But Kawasaki Frontale, two terrific goals.
00:51:13The first from Ito.
00:51:15The second made by Ito.
00:51:17And I think we've got...
00:51:20changes coming on the way for Al Nasser.
00:51:23It's looking like it could be two changes, you know.
00:51:30I'm wondering, LePort.
00:51:32I don't think it's just getting ready.
00:51:34Ismane loses out.
00:51:41Skirkum made the ball in.
00:51:43Brozovic.
00:51:47Al-Hassan.
00:51:51Zeki nearly got there.
00:51:52Monsignor can only direct it back to Ali Al-Hassan.
00:51:56Now off.
00:51:58Mane.
00:52:03Brozovic again.
00:52:13That's a loose pass.
00:52:16And it's gone out of play.
00:52:18And we are indeed going to see a double change for Al Nasser.
00:52:21We're going to see Angelo coming on.
00:52:25And also Aymeric Laporte as we look at the replay of the go-ahead goal for Ezecki.
00:52:36Yeah, he's made something happen there, Tatsuya Ito.
00:52:39He's made something happen there, Tatsuya Ito.
00:52:40And he's made something happen there.
00:52:45Ali Al-Hassan.
00:52:46Is off.
00:52:50Is off.
00:52:50Is off.
00:52:51Brazilian Angelo comes on, signed from Chelsea,
00:52:58for US$25 million.
00:53:06Merrick Laporte also coming on for Ali Lajami.
00:53:11You know, this says a lot about the quality of Kawasaki Frontale,
00:53:16about the quality of Japanese football.
00:53:19They've started the match with one foreign player in Marsinho.
00:53:25Al Nasser have just taken off two of their Saudi Arabian players,
00:53:28Ken Ali Lajami and Ali Al-Hassan.
00:53:38Van Vermes-Kirkum ahead of Ronaldo.
00:53:41Rozovic.
00:53:45First run of the ball for Angelo.
00:53:49Not a successful run, but he might get another chance.
00:53:55Miura, though, goes past him and past Rozovic.
00:53:58Miura is driving forward, and he's got support to his left from Marsinho.
00:54:06And Miura!
00:54:07Corner kick conceded by a desperate Mohamed Simakhan, I tell you,
00:54:13because Kanda was poised.
00:54:18Looking really off the pace here, on Nasser.
00:54:20And that's a credit to Kawasaki Frontale.
00:54:22Every time they get forward, they look dangerous.
00:54:24He's got lots to do at that half-time break, Stefano Pioli.
00:54:29And the Kawasaki choir in the corner sings its heart out.
00:54:39And the team are responding.
00:54:41This their third corner of the first 45 minutes.
00:54:46Ito.
00:54:51Lends it back in.
00:54:53No keeper Bento.
00:54:55Recovered after receiving some treatment following the concession of the second goal.
00:55:00But Ito, one goal scored, a beauty as well.
00:55:05One assist.
00:55:07That was pretty beautiful.
00:55:09Mane and Simakhan.
00:55:15There's a silence around this arena, apart from the noisy Kawasaki band.
00:55:23Yeah, it really is a credit to those fans as well.
00:55:30Simakhan.
00:55:34Chases forward but too aggressively.
00:55:37And that's Sota Miura.
00:55:42They sing all the way through, don't they?
00:55:44Yes.
00:55:45We saw this with Sota Miura.
00:55:47Yamaha, yeah.
00:55:48We saw this with Yokohama of Marinos.
00:55:51You know, they were soundly beaten by Al Nasser.
00:55:54But their fans were excellent.
00:55:56And it's the same with Kawasaki Frontali as well.
00:55:58Sectioned off into that corner.
00:56:00But they've been singing non-stop.
00:56:02Making lots of noise.
00:56:04And they've come, just like their team, from a long way away.
00:56:07Almost nine and a half thousand kilometers.
00:56:15So it's now going back to his Brazilian goalkeeper.
00:56:18Sorry.
00:56:21He's had his hands full with Marcinho.
00:56:24He's had his hands full with Marcinho.
00:56:26Brozovic has his hands full with Ozecki.
00:56:31Ronaldo headed against the post.
00:56:36Mane, who got the deflected goal and pulled us back to one-all.
00:56:43Kawasaki Frontali, the only team from the Eastern region to make it to the semi-finals.
00:56:51Ronaldo.
00:56:53Simakam.
00:56:54Simakam.
00:56:55Sultan Al Ghanam.
00:56:57Jaram wants it high.
00:56:58Ronaldo wants it in the air.
00:57:00And it's that man, Kota Takai, who gets the touch ahead of Ronaldo.
00:57:02Mane.
00:57:04Mane.
00:57:05Mane.
00:57:06Mane.
00:57:07Mane.
00:57:08Mane.
00:57:09Mane.
00:57:10Mane.
00:57:11Mane.
00:57:12Mane.
00:57:13Mane.
00:57:14Mane.
00:57:15Mane.
00:57:16Mane.
00:57:17Mane.
00:57:18Mane again, that little shuffle.
00:57:19Mane again, that little shuffle.
00:57:20Takai.
00:57:21Mane again, who else is there?
00:57:22And the half-time whistle goes.
00:57:23And Kawasaki Frontali lead by two goals to one.
00:57:41There's the header once again from Aguiri, the best player defensively in the first half.
00:57:47And offensively, they've got the best player as well, Rosh.
00:57:49It's been a very solid first half from Kawasaki Frontale.
00:57:54Al Nasser just haven't really been in this.
00:57:57Defensively, they've been all over the place.
00:57:59At half-time, Kawasaki Frontale with goals from Ito and Ozeke,
00:58:03lead Al Nasser, who he climbs with Mane, by two goals to one.
00:58:19After walking, we went toårt.
00:58:25The hour is now on the road, and it's still okay.
00:58:29Let's go!
00:58:31I'm sorry!
00:58:32It's got I-I'm sorry!
00:58:33Wasn't there one time?
00:58:34I'm sorry!
00:58:35I opened my house on the road.
00:58:37I opened the road.
00:58:39I pounded it!
00:58:41I'm sorry!
00:58:43I'm sorry.
00:58:44I'm sorry.
00:58:45I was sorry!
00:58:46I'm sorry.
00:58:47I'm sorry.