The first leg fixtures of the quarterfinals at the AFC Champions League (ACL) 2018 were held on Tuesday 28 August, as Kashima Antlers, who are the only Japanese team remaining in the competition, bested Tianjin Quanjian F.C. (China PR) 2-0 at home with goals from midfielder Leo SILVA and forward SERGINHO to take a step forward to their first ACL semi-final berth.

The second leg will take place in Tianjin on Tuesday 18 September.

After making its first quarterfinal appearance since 2008, Kashima took the initiative at home as they dominated the possession from the start of the match to create numbers of opportunities. But the Japanese club lacked accuracy at the final third and struggled to find the net, potentially due to fatigue from the tight match schedules. Leo Silva fired a shot from a free kick in the 20th minute, followed by an attempt made by Serginho two minute later. Forward SUZUKI Yuma made a diving effort in the box to convert a cross delivered by midfielder ENDO Yasushi in the 30th minute but came short from capturing the goal. In the 34th minute, Serginho drove a left footed shot from defender YAMAMOTO Shuto's cut-back, only to see his shot go over the crossbar.

With their flight scheduled being pushed back a day and with their Belgian international midfielder Axel WITSEL departing from the team during the transfer window, the ACL debutants Tianjin took a passive approach to start the match as they stayed back deep in their end. But in the 41st minute, the Chinese side came close to scoring the goal when forward Xu Yang headed a cross. Former Brazilian international forward Alexandre PATO also came close when he made a cut in from the right flank and took a shot just before the end of the first half, but the match entered halftime scoreless.

Kashima did not ease their momentum in their attacks in the second half, as they created opportunities by connecting their passes effectively. In the 57th minute, Endo connected with a cut-back delivered by defender ANZAI Koki but failed to put his shot home. Just three minutes later, Kashima finally broke the deadlock. When Endo laid off Yamamoto's cross with a header, Leo Silva drilled a right-footed shot into the back of the net. With momentum on their side, Kashima continued to attack the opposing end, as Serginho fired a powerful strike into the net off Anzai's set-up in the 72nd minute. Scoring his first goal after he newly joined Kashima.

In efforts to get back in the match, Tianjin brought in their offensive substitutes after the 70th minute-mark, as Pato led his side to create goal-scoring opportunities. Pato launched a shot at goal from a free kick in the 75th minute, but Kashima’s goalkeeper Kwoun Suntae made the save. In the 81st minute, Korea Republic international Kyung-won Kwon redirected Pato's cross to threaten the Kashima goal. In the closing minutes of the match, Xu responded to Kashima's clearance and drove a shot, but goalkeeper Kwon denied the shot again. At the end, Kashima kept a clean sheet and won the first leg. They are scheduled to play away in the second leg, which is scheduled three weeks later with the club’s first semi-final berth at stake.

In the other quarterfinal matches, Al Sadd SC (Qatar) defeated Esteghlal F.C. (Iran) 3-1 on the road, while Al-Duhail SC (Qatar) edged Perspolis F.C. (Iran) 1-0 at home. The remaining match between the two Korean sides Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors FC and Suwon Samsung Bluewings will be played on Wednesday 29.

Coaches' and Players' Comments

OIWA Go, Coach (Kashima Antlers)
The first and foremost takeaway is that we took the lead at this first leg at home. We had many chances to score, so I wish a little that we had scored more. But it’s also very important not to give your opponents away goals, so I think we did a good job in that regard. For the second match, we want to take advantage of this lead as much as possible, but in the round 16, when we faced Shanghai SIPG, we had a tough match on the road after taking the lead at home. We have to study the opponents and prepare for it, otherwise the away match will be very difficult for us. We will prepare for next 90 minutes so that we can play with our own pace. With that being said, we must also take in consideration that we have the J. League matches and the Levain Cup before the second leg. We must change our mindsets and take each match at a time.

MF SERGINHO (Kashima Antlers)
Being able to score my first goal at the ACL should add value to my presence at the club. But I want to keep scoring, as I am not satisfied with just one goal. The goal was not something I achieved by myself. I wanted to meet all the expectations from my teammates, staffs, managers, and the supporters. So, I’m glad I was able to respond by scoring a goal. They were tough opponents, but we fought together, created chances, and grabbed the 2-0 advantage. At the scoring scene, the goal was right in front of me when I received the ball, so I just went for it. I think my teammates would have booed me if I had failed on that one. Goals can’t be scored if you don’t take risks. It is the first ACL for me, but I want to move forward with confidence and advance all the way to the final.

MF Leo SILVA (Kashima Antlers)
I am happy with the goal I scored. Our objective was to win, and I was able to give momentum to my team, so that was good. We had many chances in the first half that we couldn’t convert, but I was sure that we would score eventually as long as we stayed positive and composed. It was also good that Serginho scored. I started late this season because of an injury, but I am back in form where I can help my team to win. I just want to do everything I can. Our season will be wonderful if we can go to the final and win the Asian title.

Paulo SOUSA, Coach (Tianjin Quanjian F.C.)
I want to congratulate Kashima for their victory. I knew they would play high-quality football, and indeed they showed sophisticated plays, while controlling the match and managing the clock effectively. We had to deal with them while we missed Axel Witsel and Anthony Modeste and had other players playing out of their normal positions. We were limited in our choice of tactics we could employ. Still, our players did well within the circumstance, so I am proud of them. We created four big chances but failed to convert them because of great saves made by the opposing goalkeeper. At a tournament like this, away goals are important. Next, we play it at home. We want to finish more positively and keep moving forward toward our dream.

Tournament Period：30 January 2018 (Tue.) - 10 November 2018 (Sat.)

Quarterfinals 2nd-Leg
Tue. 18 September 19:30 Kick-off time (Local time)
Tianjin Quanjian (China PR) vs Kashima Antlers (Japan)
Match Venue: Tianjin Olympic Center Stadium

Tournament Information