Super-sub Ito fires champs Kashima into Asian knockouts

Kashima (Japan) (AFP) – A quickfire double from substitute Sho Ito gave Japan’s Kashima Antlers a 2-1 home win over Shandong Luneng on Wednesday, taking the holders into the Asian Champions League knockout stage.

Former Manchester United midfielder Marouane Fellaini headed the Group E winners in front after 10 minutes, the beanpole Belgian powering the ball after good work from Brazilian Gil to give the hosts a scare.

But the Antlers, who only needed a draw to join Shandong in the last 16, struck back in the 68th minute when Ito smashed home from close range after the visitors failed to clear a Leo Silva corner.

Moments later, Ito beat the offside trap and applied a clinical finish with the outside of his right boot to turn the game on its head.

The Antlers, who kept Asia’s premier club title in Japan after J-League rivals Urawa Reds won it in 2017, had lost their previous two games.

But a much-needed victory in their final group match boosted their points tally to 10 points from six games, one behind their opponents.

Kashima’s comeback meant Korean side Gyeongnam’s 2-0 victory over Johor Darul Ta’zim was academic.

Luc Castaignos fired the K-League club ahead a little after the hour mark to break stubborn resistance from the Group E minnows before Takahiro Kunimoto added an injury-time second for the home side.

Kashima will play Japanese rivals Sanfrecce Hiroshima in the knockout stages with Shandong facing China’s two-time Asian champion Guangzhou Evergrande.