Kashima Antlers beat Auckland City at Club World Cup

Nacional - Kashima live

After coming on as substitute, Mu Kanazaki grabbed a late winner as the Japanese champions sneaked past part-timers Auckland City 2-1 to reach the Club World Cup quarter finals. Real Madrid arrive on Monday.

Respect and replay ref

The tournament curtain raiser in Yokohama kicked off following a minute's silence in memory of the victims of the recent Colombian plane crash which all but wiped out Brazilian team Chapecoense. 

The 100th match in Club World Cup history also featured the first-ever trial of video assistant referees. But the technology remained unused in a game that did little to set pulses racing - at least until Korean defender Kim Dae-Wook rose to meet an Emiliano Tade free kick with a bullet header five minutes into the second half and give Auckland a surprise lead.

Another substitute, Shuhei Akasaki, slammed in Kashima's equaliser in the 67th minute and Japan striker Kanazaki nodded in from close range two minutes from time to complete the comeback.

"It was our first appearance in the tournament and we knew it would be difficult but going behind wasn't ideal obviously," said Kashima coach Masatada Ishii. "They caught us with a set piece but we didn't panic," he added. "I believed we could come back and the two substitutes did a great job."

Quarter finals and European arrival

The Antlers, who captured their eighth J-League title last weekend, will face South Africa's Mamelodi Sundowns this weekend for the right to take on Colombia's Atletico Nacional in the first semi-final on December 14.

Spanish giants Real Madrid, are scheduled to arrive in Japan on Monday as they look to win their second world title in three years. With some of their players nominated in the Ballon d'Or awards, which takes place on Monday evening in Paris, it is possible that some names will travel the following day.