Kawasaki Frontale Coach Determined to Prove East Asian Teams Can Compete with Saudi Rivals
Jeddah, Saudi Arabia – Kawasaki Frontale coach Shigetoshi Hasebe has expressed his determination to prove that East Asian teams can match the firepower of their big-spending rivals from Saudi Arabia, following his team’s qualification for the semifinals of the Asian Champions League Elite. According to a report by The Japan Times, Hasebe’s side booked their place in the last four of the continental championship for the first time on Sunday with a thrilling 3-2 extra-time win over Qatar’s Al-Sadd.
The J. League outfit will now face off against Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr on Wednesday in the semifinals, with Kawasaki being the only team from East Asia remaining in the competition. The other semifinal will see Saudi Pro League duo Al-Ahli and Al-Hilal face off, after they secured wins over Thailand’s Buriram United and Gwangju from South Korea respectively. As noted by The Japan Times, the Saudi Pro League has been making significant investments in recent years, attracting high-profile players and coaches to the league.
Hasebe’s determination to prove that East Asian teams can compete with their Saudi rivals is a sentiment that is widely shared among fans and pundits alike. The Kawasaki Frontale coach believes that his team’s success in the Asian Champions League Elite is a testament to the growing strength of East Asian football. As quoted by The Japan Times, Hasebe said, "We want to show that East Asian teams can match the firepower of Saudi Arabian teams. We’ve worked hard to get to this point, and we’re excited to take on Al-Nassr in the semifinals."
The Japan Times reports that Kawasaki Frontale’s win over Al-Sadd was a hard-fought victory, with the Japanese side coming from behind to secure a 3-2 extra-time win. The result marked a significant upset, with Al-Sadd having been favourites to progress to the semifinals. However, as The Japan Times notes, Kawasaki Frontale’s determination and resilience ultimately paid off, as they secured a spot in the last four of the competition.
Kawasaki Frontale’s success in the Asian Champions League Elite is a significant achievement for the J. League outfit, and a testament to the growing strength of Japanese football. As reported by The Japan Times, the team’s coach, Shigetoshi Hasebe, has been instrumental in the team’s success, and will be looking to lead his side to further glory in the competition.
In conclusion, Kawasaki Frontale’s qualification for the semifinals of the Asian Champions League Elite is a significant achievement for the team and for East Asian football as a whole. As The Japan Times notes, coach Shigetoshi Hasebe’s determination to prove that East Asian teams can compete with their Saudi rivals is a sentiment that is widely shared among fans and pundits alike. With the semifinals set to take place on Wednesday, Kawasaki Frontale will be looking to cause another upset against Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr.
