Japan's Kawasaki down Ronaldo's Al Nassr to reach Asian Champions League final

Jeddah: Cristiano Ronaldo s Al Nassr crashed out of the Asian Champions League Elite semi finals on Wednesday when they were beaten 3 2 by Japan s Kaw...

Jeddah: Cristiano Ronaldo's Al Nassr crashed out of the Asian Champions League Elite semi-finals on Wednesday when they were beaten 3-2 by Japan's Kawasaki Frontale. Ronaldo, a five-time winner of the UEFA Champions League, hit the woodwork with a first-half header in Jeddah and spurned a golden opportunity right at the death. The Al Nassr captain, still to win a major trophy in his two and a half years in Saudi Arabia, left the pitch shaking his head. Frontale, who were contesting their first Champions League semi-final, will now meet Jeddah-based Saudi Pro League club Al Ahli in Saturday's showpiece. They become only the fifth Japanese club to reach the final of the continent's premier competition.

Frontale, who edged 2011 champions Al Sadd of Qatar 3-2 in extra-time on Sunday, began the semi-final with only one foreign player in their starting line-up, in stark contrast to big-spending Al Nassr's seven.

It was Frontale who took a surprise lead on 10 minutes, when Tatsuya Ito met a looping clearance from Mohamed Simakan and sent a superb volley from the edge of the Al Nassr penalty area high into the top corner past Brazil goalkeeper Bento. But just before the half-hour mark, Sadio Mane levelled.

The former Liverpool forward cut in from the left and then watched as his effort took a heavy deflection off Frontale stand-in captain Yuichi Maruyama, which was just enough to beat goalkeeper Louis Yamaguchi.

Soon after, Ronaldo attempted an audacious overhead kick but sent it well wide, while a minute later, he outjumped his marker to crash a close-range header against the upright. However, four minutes before half-time, Frontale restored their lead.