The stage is set for the AFC Champions League final following the Kashima Antlers¡¯ wild 6-5 aggregate win over the Suwon Bluewings in the two-legged semifinals, which concluded on Wednesday night at Suwon World Cup Stadium.
Kashima spent 102 of the series¡¯ 180 minutes in a losing position on aggregate or tiebreakers. In both games it came down to late goals ¡ª first Atsuto Uchida¡¯s heroic effort in the 93rd minute of the first leg, then Serginho¡¯s priceless goal in the 82nd minute of the second leg.
Now after eight J. League titles, six J. League Cups, five Emperor¡¯s Cups, six Super Cups, two Suruga Bank Championships, and the 2003 A3 Champions Cup, Kashima can complete its trophy cabinet with the continental title that has eluded the J. League co-founder for 20 years.
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