Goals from Saleh Al Saqri and Amine Chermiti helped Al Ittihad book their place in the final of the Asian Champions League with a professional 2-1 winning performance at Mizuho Stadium.
Leading 6-2 from the first leg in Jeddah, Al Ittihad's progress was never in doubt once the duo found the net in each half, although substitute Keita Sugimoto did give the Nagoya fans something to cheer about when he pulled a goal back midway through the second period with a fine strike.
It proved in vain, however, as the Japanese side went down 8-3 on aggregate.
Needing at least four goals to keep their slim hopes of progressing alive, Nagoya began the second-leg encounter in positive fashion and Josh Kennedy fizzed an effort just wide of the post.
The visitors then almost took the lead after 22 minutes but Saud Khariri saw a first-time effort cleared by Yoshizumi Ogawa before Kennedy smacked the bar with a header just after the half-hour mark.
Keiji Tamada was disappointed to see a fierce drive that seemed destined for the net deflected narrowly off target before the hosts were dealt a blow four minutes before half-time.
Rashed Al Rahab's low ball into the box was diverted goalwards by skipper Mohammed Noor and keeper Toru Hasegawa could only push the ball into the path of Al Saqri, who applied the finish.
Kennedy again went close soon after the restart when he powered his way through but was denied by keeper Mabrouk Zaid.
And the Australian forward's profligacy was punished when Al Ittihad netted a second after 59 minutes.
Noor lifted a floated ball into the path of Chermiti's run and the on-loan Hertha Berlin striker rose well to power a header beyond Hasegawa.
Sugimoto then pulled a goal back eight minutes later with a wonderful effort.
There appeared little danger when Brazilian midfielder Magnum knocked an innocuous-looking ball towards the near post but the onrushing striker controlled it with his chest before producing an overhead kick that found the top corner from an acute angle as a stunned Zaid could merely look on.
It proved in vain, however, as the Japanese side went down 8-3 on aggregate.
Needing at least four goals to keep their slim hopes of progressing alive, Nagoya began the second-leg encounter in positive fashion and Josh Kennedy fizzed an effort just wide of the post.
The visitors then almost took the lead after 22 minutes but Saud Khariri saw a first-time effort cleared by Yoshizumi Ogawa before Kennedy smacked the bar with a header just after the half-hour mark.
Keiji Tamada was disappointed to see a fierce drive that seemed destined for the net deflected narrowly off target before the hosts were dealt a blow four minutes before half-time.
Rashed Al Rahab's low ball into the box was diverted goalwards by skipper Mohammed Noor and keeper Toru Hasegawa could only push the ball into the path of Al Saqri, who applied the finish.
Kennedy again went close soon after the restart when he powered his way through but was denied by keeper Mabrouk Zaid.
And the Australian forward's profligacy was punished when Al Ittihad netted a second after 59 minutes.
Noor lifted a floated ball into the path of Chermiti's run and the on-loan Hertha Berlin striker rose well to power a header beyond Hasegawa.
Sugimoto then pulled a goal back eight minutes later with a wonderful effort.
There appeared little danger when Brazilian midfielder Magnum knocked an innocuous-looking ball towards the near post but the onrushing striker controlled it with his chest before producing an overhead kick that found the top corner from an acute angle as a stunned Zaid could merely look on.
Copyright (c) Press Association
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