J.League Cup wrap: Nagoya, Kashima progress

Nagoya Grampus calimed a thrilling 5-3 win against Albirex Niigata in the J-League Cup quarter-finals on Wednesday.

Nagoya’s Mu Kanazaki opened the scoring on the quarter-hour mark, before Bruno Lopes equalised for Albirex from the penalty spot on 63 minutes.

Grampus thought they had stolen the game when Kensuke Nagai headed his side in front on 90 minutes.

But with the last kick of normal time, Kengo Kawamata levelled the match to force extra time.

Albirex looked to be on their way to an upset when Noaya Kikuchi put them in front for the first time eight minutes into the added period.

But Nagai bundled in his second of the game to leave it 3-3 in the 105th minute.

Grampus reclaimed the lead when Koji Hashimoto netted six minutes from time, before a late penalty to Marcus Tanaka settled the fixture in the 120th minute for the hosts.

In other quarter-final results, Kashima Antlers beat Yokohoma F. Marinos 3-2 after extra-time, Gamba Osaka accounted for Jubilo Iwata 3-1 and Urawa Reds battled to a 2-1 away win at Cerezo Osaka.

Nagoya will host Kashima in the semi-finals, while Urawa will welcome Gamba.