Kashima set up dream date with Real Madrid
abu dhabi — Kashima Antlers booked a dream date with Real Madrid after beating CD Guadalajara 3-2 in the Fifa Club World Cup UAE 2018 second round match at the Hazza bin Zayed Stadium on Saturday.
From the start till it lasted, the encounter was a non-stop entertainer as both teams kept pressing relentlessly while being cheered by drumbeating passionate fans. And as expected, the match between the AFC champions and CONCACAF winners was played at high tempo.
Against the tide and almost unexpectedly, Las Chivas went ahead in the third minute. Isaac Brizuela started from the centre of the pitch and made a solo burst from the right flank. The midfielder dribbled past white shirts and unsettled Kashima defenders before digging out a scorcher of a pass into the box for Angel Zaldivar to head home.
The final delivery kissed keeper Kwoun Suntae’s left hand and went past him handing the Mexican side the lead. The entire sequence of event happened in split seconds and coach Jose Cardozo took few seconds to realise and celebrate the goal.
In the 38th minute, Zaldivar and Eduardo Lopez dribbled their way into Kashima box but an alert keeper Suntae parried away the shot. Later, Lopez turned the deliveryman with a perfect pass to Orbelin Pineda but his shot crashed against the bar.
On their part, Kashima players pushed forward only through counter attacks. They seldom created chances and when they did they were thwarted by the Chivas defenders KASHimA AnTLErS 3
Ryota Nagaki (49), Serginho (69), Koki Anzai (84)
CD GuADALAjArA 2
Angel Zaldivar (3), Alan Pulido (90+4) led by skipper Jair Pereira.
However, after the break, the Japanese side started with more purpose and cohesion. And immediately drew level. It was a moment when Chivas defenders went complacent and keeper Raul Gudino went blank.
Kashima defender Shoma Doi rolled out a pass into the box and midfielder Ryota Nagaki, unchallenged and on the move, scored with an easy finish to make it 1-1.
An end-to-end procession started with an all-out attack and resolute defending. There was stylish passes and innovative one-two on show.
And in the 69th minute, Kashima went ahead as Brazilian midfielder Serginho converted from the spot after being fouled by Michael Perez. In the 84th minute, Kashima slammed the door shut on Chivas. Substitutes Hiroki Abe passed to Koki Anzai, who made optimum use of time and space outside the box to curl the shot beyond keeper Gudino. It was a sensational comeback from Japanese side.
There was drama in additional time as Guadalajara won a penalty following a foul. Alan Pulido’s shot was saved by keeper but the striker scored on follow-up to make it 2-3.
But Kashima saw through final minutes to keep their semifinal date with Real Madrid and another chance to reverse their 2016 finals result.
> Goals:
> Goals: