Albirex Niigata reached the semifinals of the Nabisco Cup for the first time on Sunday, despite a 3-0 defeat to J. League first-stage winners Urawa Reds in the second leg of the quarterfinals.

Second-half goals from Tadanari Lee and Yuki Abe (two) fueled hopes of a Reds comeback, but Niigata advanced 5-3 on aggregate after Wednesday's huge first-leg win at Big Swan.

Niigata will meet the winner of a later kick-off between holder Gamba Osaka and Nagoya Grampus in the two-leg semis on Oct. 7 and 11. The final will be held at Saitama Stadium 2002 on Oct. 31.