The AFC Champions League (ACL) 2015 had its matchday 5 of the group stage on 21 April as Kashima Antlers notched a 2-1 comeback victory over defending champions Western Sydney Wanderers (AUS) on the road with forward Kanazaki Mu’s added-time goal to keep their hopes for the knockout stage.

In Group G, Urawa lost to Suwon Samsung FC (KOR) 2-1 at home and bowed out of the tournament before the final fixture.

Kashima were looking for a victory required to keep their hopes alive for the final round in the torrential rain and fierce wind in Sydney. Yet in the 24th minute, Western Sydney forward Nikita Rukavytsya opened the scoring. Kashima’s midfielder Caio and defender YAMAMOTO Shuto aggressively launched shots. In the 37th minute, midfielder ENDO Yasushi also fired a shot from the edge of the box, but his effort was denied by Wanderer’s goalkeeper.

In the second half, forward TAKASAKI Hiroyuki replaced UEDA Naomichi in the 60th minute and midfielder OGASAWARA Mitsuo, who just made a comeback from injury, got onto the pitch in place of Endo in the 61st minute. Then in the 66th minute, midfielder DOI Shoma blasted an equaliser with his right foot through midfielder AOKI Tsuyoshi’s long ball.

The visitors continued to attack afterwards. In the added time of the second half, after Yamamoto received a pass on the left flank from quick passing plays and slotted a cross in, Kanazaki rushed into the box and tapped the ball home with his right-foot.

With consecutive late winners in the last two matches, Kashima increased their points to six and moved up to third place in Group H. If they win the final match of the group stage over second-placed FC Seoul (KOR) on 5 May, the Japanese side can advance to the last 16. Seoul drew with group-leading Guangzhou Evergrande (CHN) 0-0 and now are level on points with Kashima. Western Sydney sit at fourth with five points.

Match information (Japanese version only)

In the meanwhile, Urawa faced Suwon at home after three losses and one draw in the first four matches. The J.League side needed a victory to stay in the race for the last 16. But they were not able to catch their rhythm in the first half as they changed most of the starters from their lineup used for their league match. And especially in defence, they failed to halt the opponents and allowed to attack in their end.

Urawa goalkeeper NISHIKAWA Shusaku made several fine saves to keep out shots in the 20th minute from Seo Jung Jin, who scored three goals in four matches, in the 30th minute from defender Yang Sang Min and in the 40th minute from midfielder Kwon Changhoon.

Entering the second half at 0-0, the home side sent on three players at a time, midfielders ABE Yuki, UMESAKI Tsukasa and forward Zlatan. Then, with their movement getting better, Urawa started creating some openings through swift passing moves.

Midfielder TAKAGI Toshiyuki took a pair of shots in the 58th and the 59th minutes and Zlatan also threatened Suwon’s goal in the 68th minute. One minute later, Zlatan, running behind defenders, finally met Takagi’s left cross at the far post and found the back of the net.

But as Urawa carried their weight on offence, Suwon attacked Urawa’s left flank. In the 74th minute, midfielder Ko Cha Won headed midfielder Yeom Ki Hun’s left cross in the box to level the score.

The Korean side, needing only one more win for the last 16 berth, had midfielder Baek Jihoon fire a shot as well one minute later. In the 88th minute, substitute forward Kaio put home Yeom’s left cross at the near post with his left foot to put his side ahead for good.

Although Urawa won the tournament in 2007, they earned just one point in five matches this year. The former champions were eliminated from the competition without getting out of the rock bottom. Suwon have 10 points with their latest victory. Brisbane Roar (AUS) defeated group leaders Beijing Guoan (with 10 points) 1-0 for their seventh point.

Match information (Japanese version only)

Head Coaches' Comments

Antonio Carlos Cerezo, Head Coach (Kashima Antlers)
The match against a strong team increased the worth of the victory. We did what we were supposed to do so that we grabbed a win. By winning the match, we pulled our hope to get through the group stage closer to us. But we will have one more match left, and I think it’s not going to be so easy. (Also in the next match,) we will have a strong will to advance to the next round and display it on the pitch.

Mihailo Petrovic, Head Coach (Urawa Reds)
I’m really disappointed today we weren’t able to grab the slim chance left and ended up leaving the tournament at the group stage phase before playing the final match. I feel sorry for disappointing our fans believing in and supporting us all the way through the tourney. The first half was the worst game of this season, and we allowed many goal-scoring opportunities. That would have made the score 0-3, but Nishikawa helped us get it through. In the second half, we created more chances but weren’t able to turn them into a go-ahead goal, and we conceded goals. Starting from the first match against Suwon, we kind of got off the track throughout this year’s ACL campaign. There could be something missing with us.

AFC Champions League 2015

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