Urawa Reds took another large step toward their fourth Asian Champions League final on Monday, demolishing Thailand’s BG Pathum United 4-0 to set up a semifinal encounter on Thursday with reigning South Korean champions Jeonbuk Motors.
Backed by an enthusiastic crowd of 16,210 at Saitama Stadium — with fans behind the goal at last allowed to sing after more than two years of coronavirus-related restrictions on active support — the Reds nimbly maneuvered their way past the visitors despite stiffer resistance than that demonstrated by Malaysia’s Johor Darul Ta’zim in Friday’s round-of-16 match.
“Saitama Stadium has wonderful supporters and they give us great support from when we start warming up,” Urawa midfielder Atsuki Ito said. “It feels like they’re fighting together with us and that makes us want to run faster and play harder.”