Tadatoshi Masuda headed home a first-half winner as JEF United Ichihara beat Jubilo Iwata 1-0 to send the J. League champion crashing out of the Emperor's Cup in the quarterfinals on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, former Japan striker Tatsuhiko Kubo bagged two goals as recently-relegated Sanfrecce Hiroshima came from behind to defeat defending champion Shimizu S-Pulse 3-1, while Kashima Antlers and Kyoto Purple Sanga won to complete the semifinal line-up.
Ichihara was the only side Iwata failed to beat in the league in 2002 as it claimed a historic two-stage double.