Kuala Lumpur: It is a decade since Urawa Red Diamonds’ debut in the AFC Champions League and that historic campaign is still one that stirs the memories for all those who follow Asian football, especially amongst the faithful at Saitama Stadium.
Coming into the 2007 tournament as domestic double winners, Urawa topped Group E by the narrowest of margins after they were indebted to a goalless stalemate on Matchday Six at home to Australia’s Sydney FC that secured them first place in the group with a point to spare over the A-League club.
Urawa would then defeat defending champions Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors of Korea Republic in the quarter-final, before edging past another side from the K-League Classic, this time a penalty shootout victory over Seongnam FC.
In the final, Urawa faced Islamic Republic of Iran’s Sepahan and, following a 1-1 draw in Isfahan, the Japanese club were able to come out on top 2-0 in front of close to 60,000 at a packed Saitama Stadium to become their nation’s first AFC Champions League winners since the tournament’s revamp in 2002.
As title holders, Urawa were automatically given a place in the Knockout Stage in the following edition and they would narrowly defeat Kuwait’s Qadsia SC in the last eight, winning 4-3 on aggregate.
The semi-final, though, proved to be the an obstacle too difficult to overcome. Fellow J.League side Gamba Osaka put an end to Urawa’s bid to retain their title and would themselves go on to lift the AFC Champions League trophy ensuring that it would, at least, remain in Japan.
Urawa then suffered a four-year absence from the continental tournament and would not appear again until 2013 where they were edged out a place in the Knockout Stage due to inferior goal difference, suffering elimination at the Group Stage for the first time.
The next sighting of the famous red shirts came two years later but in a campaign that would go down as Urawa’s most disappointing yet. Not only did Urawa fail to make the Round of 16 but finished bottom in Group G, seven points off second.
The state of affairs did markedly improve, however, in the following year at the 2016 AFC Champions League.
Drawn in a tricky looking Group H with holders Guangzhou Evergrande, three-time continental champions Pohang Steelers and A-League runners-up Sydney FC, Urawa held their own and, aided by an unbeaten home record, were help to clinch second place behind Sydney.
Urawa were rewarded with a place in the Knockout Stage for the first time in eight years and their meeting with FC Seoul in the Round of 16 would go down as one of the most exciting series of matches in recent times.
Having won the first leg at home courtesy of Tomoya Ugajin’s 14th minute goal, Urawa travelled to the Korean capital with a narrow aggregate lead. However, Dejan Damjanovic wiped out the slender advantage with his strike just before the half hour ensuring extra-time was needed and that was where the rollercoaster truly began.
Adriano put FC Seoul in the lead on aggregate for the first time just four minutes into the extra 30 but a brace from Tadanari Lee than looked to have turned the tables. And yet with time about to run out Go Yo-han scored a spectacular equaliser on the stroke of the final whistle to take the game to penalties.
After seven penalties a piece, Yoshiaki Komai’s failure to convert proved the decisive spot-kick as Urawa were eliminated.
This year, Urawa have been among the most impressive sides in the Group Stage netting 18 times as they won Group F, with the goals coming from 10 different players, edging China’s Shanghai SIPG into second place.
For all their dynamism going forward, though, Urawa were close to elimination in the Round of 16 at the hands of Jeju United after a 2-0 defeat in the first leg in Korea Republic.
However, a stirring 3-0 win in the second leg, after 120 minutes of play, did ultimately see the Saitama club through to the last eight and a meeting with fellow J.League side Kawasaki Frontale.
This year’s quarter-final appearance already represents their best campaign in the continental competition since 2008 but Takafumi Mori’s side will be looking to at least match that this time round.
Brazilian Rafael Silva has top-scored for Urawa with four goals so far but the likes of Japan’s 2011 AFC Asian Cup hero Tadanari Lee and Shinzo Koroki have also chipped in with vital contributions in the attack.
At the back, Japan internationals Tomoaki Makino and Wataru Endo are a sold presence in defence ahead of experienced custodian Shusaku Nishikawa, while there is also plenty of creativity in the middle of the park in the form of star playmaker Yosuke Kashiwagi.
The Coach: Takafumi Mori
Former Urawa Red Diamonds midfielder Takafumi Hori replaced Serbian coach Mihailo Petrovic at the end of July for the 49-year-old’s second spell in charge of the club. Hori also took over the Urawa helm on a temporary basis following the departure of Montenegrin Zeljko Petrovic in 2011. As a player, Hori also had a notable stint with Shonan Bellmare following seven seasons at the Saitama-based club, and has considerable experience of continental football having been on the coaching staff at Urawa for the 2013, 2015 and 2016 editions prior to this years’ competition.
The Key Player: Tadanari Lee
A Japanese football player of Korean descent, Tadanari Lee wrote his name into Asian football history books when he scored the extra-time winner for the Samurai Blue in the 2011 AFC Asian Cup final against Australia. Before joining Urawa Red Diamonds in 2014, Lee also enjoyed notable spells as Kashiwa Reysol and Sanfrecce Hiroshima, the latter earning him a two-year stint at English Premier League side Southampton. This year, the 31-year-old has enjoyed a successful run in the 2017 AFC Champions League, scoring four times so far in the tournament – including a vital goal in the Round of 16 – and been the main focal point for Urawa’s attack.
Q-FINAL FIXTURES
August 23
Kawasaki Frontale vs Urawa Red Diamonds
(Kawasaki Todoroki Stadium)
September 13
Urawa Red Diamonds vs Kawasaki Frontale
(Saitama Stadium)
CLICK HERE FOR THE 2017 AFC CHAMPIONS LEAGUE SCHEDULE & RESULTS
Photos: Lagardère Sports
Source: the-afc.com