Riyadh: Yuki Abe has set his sights on winning the AFC Champions League for coach Takafumi Hori ahead of the first leg of the final between Urawa Red Diamonds and Al Hilal at King Fahd International Stadium on Saturday.
Club captain Abe was part of the team that won the 2007 competition and the midfielder-turned-defender is now just two games away from lifting the title for a second time after Hori replaced former coach Mihailo Petrovic in the summer and promptly guided the Saitama team to a second continental final.
But standing in Urawa’s way are an unbeaten Al Hilal team who have swept aside West Asian heavyweights Al Ain and Persepolis in the previous two rounds and are aiming to make up for the disappointment of losing the 2014 final to Western Sydney Wanderers.
“I have had a lot of head coaches in my career, but Hori is one who has helped me improve, so I’d like to help win a big trophy for him,” said Abe.
“In 2007 we didn’t lose a single game and this year Al Hilal are doing very well and haven’t lost yet. But, if possible, we would like to leave Riyadh with a goal and at least a draw.”
The skipper is one of only two remaining members of the side that conquered the continent a decade ago after following up a 1-1 draw with the Islamic Republic of Iran’s Sepahan with a 2-0 victory in Japan.
Abe scored the second goal at Saitama Stadium back then and returns to Asia’s most prestigious club game looking to help Urawa become the fourth side to win the tournament on two occasions.
“The team today is totally different from the one from 10 years ago, only me and Tadaaki Hirakawa are still playing,” noted Abe.
“Football is always changing and the most important thing is for the players to believe in ourselves and win the final.”
Just like the first continental final Urawa competed in, the winners will go on to represent Asia in next month’s FIFA Club World Cup.
Urawa reached the semi-finals back in 2007 before defeat to eventual winners AC Milan, but then finished third after a penalty shootout victory over Tunisia’s Etoile du Sahel.
“The FIFA Club World Cup also motivates me very much, but the first step is to become Asian champions,” added Abe.
“If we do that the story will continue, so right now our aim is to win the AFC Champions League.”
Photos: Lagardère Sports
Source: the-afc.com