Roasso Kumamoto's fairytale run came to an end in the Emperor's Cup semifinals Sunday as the J-League second-division side lost 4-0 away to top-flight opponents Kashiwa Reysol.
Despite languishing in 16th in the 22-team J2, Kumamoto put together a superb cup campaign and upset three J1 teams en route to the last four, before failing to replicate the outcome at Sankyo Frontier Stadium.
Kashiwa midfielder Sachiro Toshima opened the scoring in the ninth minute, placing his header past Kumamoto keeper Ryuga Tashiro at the far post following a fine chipped cross from the left by forward Mao Hosoya.
"We showed our desire to win a title at whatever cost, also given that the Asian Champions League spot is at stake," Toshima said. "I personally wanted to make my mark as well, and it was great to have scored early on."
Kumamoto had the greater possession but failed to create much in the final third, with left winger Rimu Matsuoka blasting wide their only shot of the first half from a promising position in the 17th minute.
Untroubled Kashiwa doubled their lead in the fourth minute of the first-half stoppage time when Matheus Savio's corner from the left came off the near post, with Eiichi Katayama bundling home with his knee from close range.
A crucial third arrived 10 minutes after the break with another stroke of luck for Kashiwa, with Savio's left-footed shot from outside the box taking a big deflection off Hosoya, who was credited with the goal.
Kumamoto made a late foray in the closing stages but to no avail, with Matsuoka dragging his shot just wide of the post with a minute to go before Tomoki Takamine put the icing on the cake for Kashiwa in stoppage time, firing a first-time effort into the left bottom corner from just inside the box.
After edging their fellow Kyushu side Sagan Tosu 4-3 in the third round and beating FC Tokyo 2-0 in the round of 16, both away from home, Kumamoto stunned J1 leaders Vissel Kobe in a penalty shootout following a 1-1 draw at home in the quarterfinals.
Advancing to the Dec. 9 final at National Stadium, however, proved a step too far.
