Mu Kanazaki scores late winner for Kashima Antlers vs. Auckland City

Updated: May 17, 2023, 05:51 am

YOKOHAMA, Japan -- Japanese champions Kashima Antlers beat Auckland City of New Zealand 2-1 in the opening game of the Club World Cup on Thursday.

Kim Dae-Wook headed Auckland ahead five minutes after half-time, but substitute Shuhei Akasaki equalised in the 67th minute.

Fellow sub Mu Kanazaki then completed the comeback in the 88th, heading home from close range after Shoma Doi nodded a deep Shuto Yamamoto cross from the left-back.

"We sent on the strikers as we needed to get goals," Kashima coach Masatada Ishii said. "In the first half we hadn't really been able to take many shots at goal and both the players who came on have that ability and a strong focus on trying to score.

Mu Kanazaki celebrates after scoring what proved to be the winner.
Mu Kanazaki celebrates after scoring what proved to be the winner.
Shaun Botterill - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images

"In particular, Kanazaki has been in good form of late and had scored in the last few games, so that's why I decided to send him on."

Kashima advanced to a quarterfinal against African champions Mamelodi Sundowns in Osaka on Sunday.

The winners of that game will face Copa Libertadores champions Atletico Nacional in the semifinals pm Wednesday. Real Madrid also enter the tournament from the semifinal stage.

The use of video replays was available during the match but there were no official reviews. The technology is there to be used only for correcting clear errors in game-changing decisions.