With Kawasaki looking to overturn the first leg deficit, Erison had an early range-finder from just outside the area that rolled harmlessly through to goalkeeper Bao Yaxiong while Shinichi Chan’s attempt at the other end was blocked by the Kawasaki defence.

That was a rare sight of goal for the visitors and Frontale should have gone in front in the 12th minute. Ito was played in behind the Shenhua defence and his low centre arrowed across the face of goal to Marcinho, but he fired his first-time effort high over the bar.

Yasuto Wakizaka then saw his attempt from 20 yards out go wide before Bao was forced into a fine save by Ryotta Ohshima, steering away the midfielder’s close range attempt after he was found in the six-yard box by Sasaki’s powerful cut back.

By the 24th minute, however, Kawasaki were in front. Sasaki had been giving Shenhua problems down the right and, after profiting again from the Chinese side’s inability to rein him in, the 25-year-old whipped his shot home, beating Bao to his left from 18 yards.

The Shenhua goalkeeper needed to use his feet to keep out Erison soon after the half hour mark as Kawasaki cranked up the pressure further and Shenhua did well to avoid any further damage before the interval.

Saul Mineiro’s attempt seven minutes into the second half was bundled clear by the Kawasaki defence as Shenhua pushed forward, and Joao Teixeira’s acrobatic effort soon after only just cleared the crossbar.

Teixeira went close again, only to see Mineiro steer his shot wide, and within moments the home had doubled their lead on the night and gone in front on aggregate.

Sasaki’s dinked pass over the top of the Shenhua defence found Erison unmarked and, with the Brazilian timing his run to perfection to avoid being offside, he swept a first time shot past Bao.

Four minutes later the result was put beyond doubt as Kawasaki claimed their third, Marcinho pulling the ball back from the byeline for Ito to thread his finish between Bao and the defence.

Wakizaka hit the post as Kawasaki continued to press while goalkeeper Louis Yamaguchi twice prevented Mineiro from pulling one back for Shenhua before Marcinho netted from close range in the 91st minute to put the cap on an impressive win.