In a major shock Japanese League , J-League winners Kawasaki Frontale stunned English Premier League side Chelsea by clinching 1-0 win in a friendly contest played at Yokohama on Friday.
It was Kawasaki striker Leandro Damiao who headed in a Kengo Nakamura cross from a close range in the 86th minute to clinch the upset.
Chelsea struggled to find the net despite waves of attacks, with Kawasaki players cautious in defence, particularly before the break.
In the 30th minute, Chelsea forward Pedro showed off his skill by zigzagging past a group of Kawasaki defenders before unleashing a long-range shot, which flew just over the bar.
Four minutes later, a similar attempt by his teammate Kenedy also went wide.
Kawasaki midfielder Akihiro Ienaga, J-League MVP in 2018, threatened the Chelsea goal in a 45th-minute counterattack, ending the move with a sizzling shot which forced a superb one-armed save by goalkeeper Willy Caballero.
Chelsea are on a pre-season tour of Japan, and will play a friendly against FC Barcelona on Tuesday in Saitama, north of Tokyo.