J. League second-division playoff hopefuls JEF United Chiba reached the semifinals of the Emperor’s Cup with a 1-0 win away to top-flight Cerezo Osaka on Wednesday night.

Masakazu Tashiro struck the clincher early in the second half to book Takashi Sekizuka’s side a meeting with fellow J2 side Montedio Yamagata in the last four.

Yamagata edged Giravanz Kitakyushu 1-0 an all-J2 quarterfinal thanks to Shota Kawanishi’s 79th-minute winner, while Gamba Osaka beat Omiya Ardija 2-0 courtesy of goals from Takahiro Futagawa and Akihiro Sato.

Gamba will play Shimizu S-Pulse, who beat Nagoya Grampus 5-3 on penalties on Saturday, in the semifinals on Nov. 26.

Akira Toshima went close with a header for Chiba after six minutes before Cerezo had the best chance of the opening period with their first effort on goal on 42 minutes.

Former German international Cacau found Diego Forlan, and the 2010 World Cup Golden Ball winner cut the ball back for Daichi Akiyama, whose rasping shot was cleared off the line by Tashiro.

But it was the visitors that took the lead nine minutes into the second half. Tashiro was credited with the goal, although television replays appeared to show the ball going in off the shoulder of Cerezo defender Tatsuya Yamashita as he tussled with Tashiro following a rightwing corner.

“It’s a one-off in the Emperor’s Cup and important to win these games and I am pleased for myself, too,” said Tashiro.

Cerezo pushed for an equalizer, which nearly arrived in the 74th minute as Yusuke Maruhashi forced a fine save from Chiba goalkeeper Shun Takagi, but the visitors withstood intense later pressure to hold on for the win.