AFC Champions League Elite - MD8: Kawasaki Frontale (JPN) 2-0 Central Coast Mariners (AUS)

#ACLElite | Kawasaki Frontale (JPN) 2 - 0 Central Coast Mariners (AUS) — AFC Champions League Elite
MD8: Kawasaki Frontale (JPN) 2-0 Central Coast Mariners (AUS)
Tue, 18 February, 2025

Kawasaki: Kawasaki Frontale completed the league phase of the AFC Champions League Elite™ 2024/25 with a 2-0 win over Australia’s Central Coast Mariners at Todoroki Stadium on Tuesday as the J1 League side notched up their sixth victory in eight games ahead of the knockout rounds.

Brazilian striker Erison scored from the penalty spot nine minutes before half time and Marcinho struck deep into injury time to move Kawasaki onto 18 points and Shigetoshi Hasebe’s side will now wait to find out who they face in the last 16.

The result means Central Coast end the league phase bottom of the 12-team standings with a solitary point, with Mark Jackson’s AFC Cup™ 203/24 winners losing seven of their eight matches.

Central Coast made the journey to Japan without suspended duo Dylan Peraic-Cullen and Bryan Kaltak while Kawasaki made a host of changes, as only Kento Tachibanada remained from the line-up that beat Pohang Steelers 4-0 in the previous round.

With both sides fielding unfamiliar line-ups, it took time for the game to come to life and Erison’s blocked shot was a rare attempt in a lacklustre opening 20 minutes.

It was not until the 22nd minute that either side had a genuine sight of goal, Ten Miyagi picking up possession close to the edge of the penalty area before working the ball onto his right foot and thumping his shot high over the bar.

Miyagi threatened again four minutes later when he met Sai van Wermeskerken’s cross from the right with a downward header that Adam Pavlesic palmed away for a corner, diving at full stretch to his left. Moments later Erison sent his overhead kick narrowly wide.

There was little Pavlesic could do, however, in the 36th minute as Erison gave the hosts the lead from the spot.

Christian Theoharous’ mistimed attempt to challenge Hinata Yamauchi resulted in the midfielder being upended in the penalty area and and Erison powered his spot-kick past Pavlesic.

Yamauchi almost added a second, hitting the woodwork with a curling strike from outside the area as Kawasaki ended the first half on the front foot.

Yasuto Wakizaka’s free-kick struck the side netting for the Japanese side and Erison was just off target after being set up by Marcinho after halftime.

The Brazilian substitute then flashed a shot of his own wide of Pavlesic’s goal with the clock ticking down and he sealed the win in the eighth minute of added time when he lifted the ball over Pavlesic as the goalkeeper raced off his line.

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