Shimizu S-Pulse will enter next season's Asian Cup Winners' Cup, despite losing to the Kashima Antlers in the Emperor's Cup final Monday, Japanese soccer officials confirmed.
Traditionally, the Emperor's Cup winner contests the Asian Cup Winners' Cup competition, but Kashima must give priority to the Asian club championship after capturing its third J. League title by beating the Yokohama F. Marinos over two legs last month.
Shimizu will therefore stand in for Kashima as Emperor's Cup runnerup.