Two goals in quick succession from striker Shingo Akamine helped FC Tokyo advance to the Emperor's Cup semifinals after a 2-1 win over Shimizu S-Pulse on Saturday.
Yokohama F. Marinos beat second-division side Sagan Tosu 3-1 and Kashiwa Reysol edged promoted Sanfrecce Hiroshima 3-2 after extra time to join FC Tokyo in the Dec. 29 semifinals. Gamba Osaka, which is in the Club World Cup, will play Nagoya Grampus in the other quarterfinal next Thursday.
At Yurtec Stadium in Sendai, Shimizu took a 25th-minute lead through Kazumichi Takagi only to see Akamine equalize from the penalty spot four minutes into the second half and then score the winner one minute later.
The victory put FC Tokyo into the last four for the first time in 11 years when it was the semi-professional Tokyo Gas.