Brazilian club Sao Paulo, 2012 Sudamericana champion, fell 3-2 to Kashima Antlers of Japan, which retained the Suruga Cup title in their stadium thanks to a hat-trick from striker Yuya Osako.
The Japanese team, J-League champion in 2012, got the win with a hat-trick from center-forward Yuya Osako (25, 39, 90+1), after a comeback from the Brazilians, who had tied the game in the second period with goals from midfielder Ganso (58) and attacker Aloisio (75).
Osako was the star of the match and could have extended the lead but on his penalty shot in the 61st minute he missed twice. The first was stopped by Sao Paulo keeper Rogerio Ceni but he got a second chance after the players crossed the line early but promptly sent his second over the bar.
Towards the end, when it seemed that the match was headed to penalties tied at 2-2 Osako deflected a shot in the heart of the area to put the Japanese ahead.
Now, the team coached by Paulo Autuori and who is second to last in the Brazilian Championship and at risk of demotion, must rise up on Sunday against Portuguesa if they want to get off the bottom of the table and to please their demanding fans.
Sao Paulo got the first scoring chance of the match from an Ademilson (17) shot that went over the goal. The home side responded immediately with and Osako (22) approach which he missed on.
However, three minutes later Osaka (25) had his revenge and beat keeper Ceni.
Sao Paulo tried to manage the game with the ball at the feet Ganso, but the executioner Osako was again Johnny-on-the-spot and put home a centering pass from fellow Brazilian Juninho to make it 2-0 (39).
Sao Paulo seemed to be down and out until Ganso was able to sneak in a shot at the right post in the 58th minute.
Osako’s penalty miss boosted Sao Paulo who were able to tie the game in the 75th thanks to a nice pass from Ganso into the box that Aloisio converted.
But when the South Americans pressed in search of victory Osako showed up again to beat keeper Rogerio Ceni, who surely will have nightmares tonight.
The Kashima Antlers had won the fifth edition of the tournament last year on penalties (7-6 after 2-2) against Universidad de Chile, and in the process won their fourth straight trophy on Japanese soil.
The last time a South American team won the cup was back in 2009, thanks to Inter of Porto Alegre.
Sao Paulo, three time winner of the Copa Libertadores, two time winner of the Intercontinental and one time winner of the Club World Cup, failed to add more luster to their resume having conquered all the crowns possible at the club level.
