Saudi Gazette report

JEDDAH — Al Nassr’s dream of continental glory came to a heartbreaking end on Wednesday night as Japan’s Kawasaki Frontale claimed a 3-2 victory in a thrilling semi-final clash of the AFC Champions League Elite Finals Jeddah 2025 at King Abdullah Sports City Stadium.

Frontale’s clinical counter-attacking football proved too much for Al Nassr, who despite dominating large spells of possession, fell short of a final berth. The Japanese side will now face Al Ahli Saudi FC in Saturday’s final.

Al Nassr came into the tie unchanged from their emphatic 4-1 quarter-final win over Yokohama F. Marinos and looked poised to pick up where they left off, with Jhon Duran drawing a sharp early save from Frontale goalkeeper Louis Yamaguchi.

But it was Frontale who struck first blood. In the 10th minute, Tatsuya Ito capitalised on a loose clearance to unleash a sublime volley from outside the box into the top corner, silencing the majority of the 50,000-strong crowd.

Al Nassr responded with attacking intent and found the equaliser in the 21st minute when Sadio Mane’s shot deflected off Yuichi Maruyama and looped beyond a helpless Yamaguchi.

Cristiano Ronaldo nearly gave Al Nassr the lead minutes later with a powerful header that cannoned off the woodwork — a moment that would haunt the Saudi Pro League side.

Frontale made them pay for their profligacy just before the break. Bento denied Ito’s first attempt, but 20-year-old Yuto Ozeki pounced on the rebound to restore the Japanese club’s lead at 2-1 heading into halftime.

Al Nassr controlled possession in the second half but struggled to break down Frontale’s compact defensive block. The Japanese side, content to absorb pressure and break with pace, found a third goal in devastating fashion.

Erison blew past Aymeric Laporte on the flank before cutting the ball back for veteran Akihiro Ienaga to tap in Frontale’s third in the 71st minute.

Aiman Yahya pulled one back for Al Nassr in the 87th minute, setting up a tense finale. Ronaldo had three late opportunities to force extra time, but Yamaguchi stood tall and Frontale’s defence held firm.

The result marks the end of Al Nassr’s campaign, one that promised so much but ultimately fell short at the penultimate hurdle.