Kawasaki Frontale claimed the Levain Cup with a penalty shootout win against Consadole Sapporo on Saturday following a late brace from captain Yu Kobayashi that kept the J. League champions alive after they were reduced to 10 men.
Following three lead changes, the drama-filled final went to spot kicks after Kobayashi pulled Frontale level at 3-3 in the 19th minute of extra time at Saitama Stadium.
Consadole looked set to hoist their first league cup trophy when Lucas Fernandes put them up 4-3 on penalties, but Frontale 'keeper Shota Arai saved two straight attempts from Naoki Ishikawa and Ryosuke Shindo to seal a 5-4 victory in the shootout.