Auckland City's Fabrizio Tavano reacts after their loss to Kashima Antlers. Photo / AP
Auckland City's Fabrizio Tavano reacts after their loss to Kashima Antlers. Photo / AP
Kashima Antlers have come from a goal behind to defeat Auckland City FC 2-1 in the FIFA Club World Cup playoff in Yokohama last night.
Auckland City FC took the lead in a tight tactical tussle when Dae Wook Kim rose highest to nod home a Emiliano Tade's free-kick four minutes into the second half before Shuhei Akasaki grabbed the equaliser for the J.League side 17 minutes later.
Kashima, who won the J.League final in a massive upset four days ago when they downed Urawa Reds, produced a stuffy performance, registering 19 fouls to the Navy Blues 11 across the match.
Just as the game seemed destined for extra-time, Kashima's Mu Kanazaki grabbed a dramatic late winner, heading from close range to set up a meeting with CAF Champions League winners and tournament-newcomers Mamelodi Sundowns in the next round on 11 December in Osaka.
In what was the 100th Club World Cup fixture, an important piece of history was made with video assistance being used to support referees with match-changing decisions for the first time in a FIFA competition.
The host club's fans, in great spirits before kick off and throughout game, gave relentless support to their side, who enjoyed the lion's share of possession in the first-half.
FC's Auckland City's Dae Wook Kim, center, celebrates after scoring the team's first goal against Japan's Kashima Antlers. Photo / AP
While they looked to be putting Auckland under pressure, however, it was the New Zealand outfit who enjoyed the first clear-cut chance on 17 minutes.
Forward Ryan De Vries delivered a cross from the left, finding Joao Moreira inside the area who flicked the ball onto Emiliano Tade, but the Argentinian's low strike was saved by veteran goalkeeper Hitoshi Sogahata.
Kashima gradually started to make their possession count but were unable to break the deadlock in the first half, with Yasushi Endo twice being denied in quick succession from close range by goalkeeper Enuat Zubikarai on 25 minutes.
Shortly before the break, Shoma Doi - showing superb technique to flick the ball past Albert Riera - charged towards goal after getting the better of his marker, but his threatening effort from the edge of the D was held by Zubikarai.
Despite looking the better side in the first half, Kashima found themselves a goal down on 50 minutes.
A superbly-timed free-kick from Tade found Kim inside the box - and the defender from Korea Republic headed home past Sogahata to put the OFC Champions League winners into the lead.
Kashima's Daigo Nishi launched a cross into the box on 60 minutes in search of Endo, but Auckland defender Darren White did well to rise and head the ball clear of danger.
But the J.League kings, looking more threatening going forward, grabbed an equaliser on 67 minutes when Ryota Nagaki cut back to pick out Akasaki inside the area, who found the bottom corner.
The J.League side continued to pile on the pressure and they were rewarded for their persistence on 88 minutes when Mu headed home from close range.
Their attention now turns to Osaka's Suita City Football Stadium on Sunday, where South Africa's Mamelodi Sundowns awaits.
Navy Blues coach Ramon Tribulietx was proud of his team's performance despite the manner of the defeat.
"I think that we defended well. In the end we tired a bit. It was very tense. We are a team that try to keep the ball; we needed to have it and we just didn't manage to get enough of it.
ashima Antlers' Mu Kanazaki (33) scores a goal against Auckland City. Photo / AP
"Kashima made it very difficult. They were very aggressive and they made our lives very hard.
"Unfortunately we are on the losing side. I'm proud of how we played though. We came very close.
"It's very difficult to come to Japan and try to dominate the national champions. We are not used to this rhythm.
"In New Zealand the games are a bit slower, but no excuses, we played a great game and in the end it didn't happen for us today.
"We played a good game especially on the defensive side. We were not great on the ball today but in some respects I can understand that, these guys were very quick.
"They were pressing us very high and it made possession for us very difficult. In the second half we got the goal and for a little bit I thought we might get a second one but then when we started to tire a bit they got that goal.
"That was going to be a very difficult last 15 minutes for us and we got caught in a couple of transitions and didn't quite get anything out there.
"In the end those legs couldn't stand up and in the end we paid the price. But thats what it takes to come up against this kind of level.
"Kashima were technically and physically very good players, all of them. We've got to positive and understand it was going to be a very hard game for us and we very nearly got there.
"I'm really proud of the effort we put on out there," he said.
Auckland City FC now turn their attentions towards the homefront where they must prepare themselves for their next domestic match with Eastern Suburbs at Bill McKinlay Park, Sunday-week.
