Cristiano Ronaldo's Al Nassr were dumped out of the Asian Champions League Elite as Japan's Kawasaki Frontale spectacularly ripped up the script with a 3-2 semifinal victory on Wednesday to reach the continental final for the first time.
The big-spending Saudi Pro League team succumbed when Yuto Ozeki and Akihiro Ienaga struck after Sadio Mané's deflected effort in the 28th minute had cancelled out Tatsuya Ito's 10th-minute opener for the J-League side.
Aiman Yahya scored from distance with three minutes left for Al Nassr to set up a tense finish, but Frontale held on.
Kawasaki will next face Al Ahli, another Saudi side boasting a squad packed with high-profile foreign internationals, in the final on Saturday with both clubs looking to win their maiden continental crown.
"It was a very difficult game but the players were able to show their best performance on the pitch," said Frontale coach Shigetoshi Hasebe. "We're showing what we've been building since pre-season and I'm happy with that."
Underdogs Kawasaki, who had needed extra time to defeat Qatar's Al-Sadd in the quarterfinals on Sunday, made an encouraging start, with Marcinho outmuscling Marcelo Brozovic to win possession 35 yards from goal before shooting wide.
Ronaldo, who has failed to win any major trophy since his move to Saudi Arabia, was seen in tears on the field following the loss.
