Naoki Wako's stoppage-time header gave Kashiwa Reysol a nail-biting 2-1 win over Shandong Luneng in Group E of the Asian Champions League on Tuesday.
Kosuke Taketomi opened the scoring for Kashiwa midway through the first half before Walter Montillo restored parity shortly after the break. Reysol, who remain unbeaten in five games in all competitions this season, are level on points with Jeonbunk Hyundai Motors at seven from three games.
The fans at Hitachidai were in for a treat as the two sides put on a pulsating game of soccer that saw Kashiwa, the only J. League club with any points in the ACL, get off to a rocky start.
Just four minutes into the match, Montillo dispossessed Daisuke Suzuki outside the box and nearly made the defender pay, but Takanori Sugeno came off his line to thwart danger in the nick of time.
Montillo went close again not even a minute later from a corner, but Sugeno stood in the Argentine's way once more, clearing a low effort to keep Shandong off the scoreboard.
It was Reysol's turn in the 13th minute, when Taketomi forced a superb save from China 'keeper Wang Dalei off the rebound of a near Shandong own goal. Wang was called into action again three minutes later, pushing wide a close-range shot from Akimi Barada after a neat passing display involving Kim Chang-soo and Leandro.
Kashiwa would draw first blood after 23 minutes through Taketomi, who hammered into the roof of the net a ball from Masato Kudo across the penalty area.
Reysol's halftime lead did not last long as the visitors equalized thanks to none other than Montillo, who tormented Tatsuma Yoshida's men all evening but would overcome that goal through Wako in the 91st minute.