SAITAMA — Ryota Tsuzuki saved a penalty and Tadaaki Hirakawa slotted home the winning spot-kick as Urawa Reds advanced to the AFC Champions League final with a 5-3 shootout victory over Seongnam Ilhwa on Wednesday.
Urawa's Brazilian striker Washington (left) fires a shot in the first half against Seongnam Ilhwa
of South Korea in the second leg of the Asian Champions League semifinals at Saitama Stadium 2002
on Wednesday night.
KYODO PHOTOWith the second leg of the semifinal finishing 2-2 after extra time, Tsuzuki proved the hero by saving Choi Sung Kuk's penalty. Robson Ponte, Washington, Yuki Abe and Yuichiro Nagai all converted to put the hopes of Urawa on the shoulders of Hirakawa.