Oita Trinita goalkeeper Shun Takagi , center, celebrates with his teammates after the club upset Kawasaki Frontale in a penalty shootout in the Emperor's Cup football semifinals on Dec. 12, 2021, at Todoroki Stadium in Kawasaki, Japan. (Kyodo)

       TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Oita Trinita goalkeeper Shun Takagi stood tall in a man-of-the-match performance on Sunday, saving three times in a penalty shootout to eliminate J-League champions Kawasaki Frontale in the Emperor's Cup semifinals.

       The 32-year-old stopped penalties from Kazuya Yamamura, Koki Tsukagawa and Miki Yamane to clinch a 5-4 shootout victory after the clash was deadlocked 1-1 at the end of extra time at Todoroki Stadium.

       Super sub Yu Kobayashi appeared to have won the game for Kawasaki deep into extra time before Brazilian Henrique Trevisan headed home an equalizer from middle of the area for J2-bound Oita, sending the game to penalties.

       Under pressure throughout a game dominated by a Kawasaki side seeking their second straight league and cup double, Takagi remained on his toes with an inspired turn in the shootout.

       "I always look forward to facing Frontale because they always play well, and you have to be at your best," Takagi said. "I was able to play well, but I'm really thankful to my teammates."

       Seeking consolation following their relegation from the J-League top flight, Oita showed few signs of being able to break a Frontale unbeaten streak at home dating back to the 2020 season.

       Kawasaki was in control from the outset, but their lack of a finishing touch -- and Takagi's sterling efforts -- kept the game scoreless through 90 minutes.

       Frontale manager Toru Oniki looked to land a decisive blow before extra time by bringing on attackers Kobayashi and Kei Chinen late for Leandro Damiao and Reo Hatate, but the visitors desperately hung on until the whistle.

       Kobayashi fired wide from close range at the end of the first extra-time period, but he was not to be denied with a point-blank finish in the 113th minute.

       With extra time set to expire, Trevisan got his head to a ball into the box from Hokuto Shimoda, sparking wild celebrations from outgoing Trinita manager Tomohiro Katanosaka and the rest of the Oita bench.

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