Japan semi places decided

The Emperor’s Cup semi-finalists were decided on Saturday in dramatic fashion as a winter chill settled over Japan.

In Saitama’s Kumagaya Stadium, J2 champions FC Tokyo broke a seven-year winless streak against Urawa Reds to reach the last four for the second straight year.

Naohiro Ishikawa’s 20th-minute strike was enough for Tokyo, who dominated in the first half but had to survive a late resurgence by the Reds.

At Mizuho Stadium in Nagoya, J1 runners-up Nagoya Grampus were unable to win in penalty kicks for a second time in a row in this season’s competition as they fell 0-0 (4-3 on pens) to Yokohama F. Marinos.

Grampus advanced to the semi-finals just three days earlier when they beat league champions Kashiwa Reysol 9-8 in penalty kicks after 120 minutes of play saw the teams deadlocked at 3-3.

Nagoya’s loss eliminated any chance of an Asian Champions League appearance for Vegalta Sendai, who placed fourth in J.League and would have earned a spot in the international competition if Nagoya Grampus had won the tournament.

A second quarter-final match went down to penalty kicks in Osaka’s Nagai Stadium when Cerezo Osaka won over Shimizu S-Pulse following a 2-2 draw (6-5 on pens).

After the match ended 1-1 in regulation, Cerezo took an early lead in extra time on Hiroshi Kiyotake’s strike before Toshiyuki Takagi brought the visitors even.

The final place in the semi-finals was decided later, when Kyoto Sanga beat Shonan Bellmare 1-0 at Todoroki Stadium in Kawasaki.

Brazilian attacker Dutra scored the lone goal of the match for Sanga, who stopped a late Bellmare surge to seal the win.

Sanga’s semi-final appearance is a club best since 2002, when they won the final against Kashima Antlers.

The semi-finals are on Thursday. FC Tokyo will play Cerezo Osaka at Nagai Stadium while Yokohama F. Marinos and Kyoto Sanga play in Tokyo’s National Stadium. The final is on New Year’s Day at National Stadium.