OSAKA -- Urawa's Brazilian striker Emerson scored a hat trick, including a 108th-minute winner, to help the Reds edge Gamba Osaka 3-2 in extra time and book their spot in the Nabisco Cup final on Wednesday night.
Advancing to the final for the first time ever, the Reds will meet two-time Nabisco Cup champion Kashima Antlers on Nov. 4 at the National Stadium in Tokyo.
Kashima substitute striker Yoshiyuki Hasegawa knocked in a header in the 107th minute to give the Antlers a 2-1 extra-time win over Shimizu S-Pulse at Kashima Stadium in the other semifinal on the night.
At Osaka's Expo Memorial Stadium, Emerson put the visitors ahead in the 21st minute with a 30-meter blast off a Masahiro Fukuda free-kick. But Gamba, playing in the semifinals for the first time since 1994, took control of the game, utilizing Urawa's open spaces on the flanks to create chances. In the 34th minute, the home team equalized when Magrao headed in a fine cross from left winger Toru Araiba. The Brazilian striker then struck home a Takahiro Futagawa rebound to giveGamba a 2-1 lead.
But four minutes after the break, Emerson drove into the box, luring a foul from Gamba midfielder Fabinho to earn a penalty. The Reds' Brazilian striker converted the spot kick to level the score 2-2.
"It was a typical cup game and we had to make a gamble and take risks," said Urawa manager Hans Ooft. "The Reds are happy to be in the final. But to be honest, (the match) could have gone to either way.