KASHIMA, Ibaraki Pref. (Kyodo) Yuya Osako's late winner sent Kashima Antlers past J. League champion Nagoya Grampus 2-1 and into the Emperor's Cup semifinals on Saturday.
Shinzo Koroki opened the scoring early at Kashima Stadium before Yoshizumi Ogawa leveled on the other side of halftime for Dragan Stojkovic's side.
Osako struck only moments after Ogawa's equalizer as Oswaldo Oliveira's men stayed in the hunt for the last available piece of silverware.
Antlers will play either FC Tokyo or Avispa Fukuoka of J2 in Wednesday's semifinal at Tokyo's National Stadium.