Shogo Taniguchi grabbed the late winner as Kawasaki Frontale reached their first Emperor's Cup final after a 1-0 win over Omiya Ardija on Thursday.

Kawasaki will meet the Kashima Antlers in the final on New Year's Day after the J. League champions beat Yokohama F. Marinos 2-0 in the earlier semifinal. Runner-up in the season's overall standings, Kawasaki was beaten by first-stage champion Kashima in the league semifinal.

Kawasaki and Ardija both lacked the final touch and the game looked set for the extra time before Taniguchi steered home with four minutes to go, volleying with the outside of the foot after a half-cleared corner was put back into the mix by defender Eduardo Neto.