The Kawasaki Frontale of Japan beat Chinese Super League side Shanghai Shenhua 4-0 in the Round of 16 second leg of the 2024-2025 AFC Champions League Elite on Wednesday, overturning the aggregate score 4-1 to advance the quarterfinals.

Liu Chengyu (L) of Shanghai Shenhua vies with Maruyama Yuichi of Kawasaki Frontale during the round of 16 second leg match of AFC Champions League Elite between Kawasaki Frontale of Japan and Shanghai Shenhua of China in Kawasaki, Japan, March 12, 2025. (Xinhua/Jia Haocheng)

Shanghai Shenhua had gained an early advantage in the race for a quarterfinal spot after winning 1-0 on home turf last week.

Kawasaki Frontale broke the deadlock in the 24th minute, when Asahi Sasaki cut inside from the right flank and curled a left-footed shot into the net. In the 36th minute, the host nearly doubled its lead, as Kota Takai converted a rebound, but the goal was ruled out due to an earlier foul in the build-up.

The home side continued the offensive momentum after the halftime, Sasaki delivered a precise cross for Erison to slot home to make it 2-0 in the 64th minute. Just three minutes later, Tatsuya Ito struck again, extending Kawasaki's lead to 3-0.

In stoppage time, Marcinho also got on the scoresheet, sealing a 4-0 victory for Kawasaki Frontale.

With Shenhua's elimination, all Chinese Super League teams have now been knocked out of the campaign.

"This was my first time leading a team in the AFC Champions League. We played 10 matches, and my biggest takeaway is that Chinese Super League teams lack the intensity compared to Japanese and Korean sides. Moving forward, we must use these experiences to help our players continue developing," said Shenhua head coach Leonid Slutsky.

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