Nagaki: Kashima fans need to play their part for ACL turnaround

Published on: 29 May 2017

Ibaraki: Kashima Antlers will go into their 2017 AFC Champions League Round of 16 second-leg tie on Tuesday a goal down to two-time AFC Champions League winners Guangzhou Evergrande but, according to midfielder Ryota Nagaki (pictured left), the deficit can be overcome with the support of the home fans at Kashima Stadium.

Nagaki, who turns 29 at the beginning of June, has started all but one of Kashima’s AFC Champions League ties so far - in his second continental campaign - and appeared as a scoring substitute against Brisbane Roar on Matchday Four.

While the Yokohama-native admitted that the intense atmosphere generated at Guangzhou’s Tianhe Sport Centre Stadium in the first-leg was at times overwhelming, he is confident that the reception for the teams at the return meeting in Ibaraki will be just as passionate.

“We want Guangzhou as the away team to experience our atmosphere at our venue, so we would like for our fans to create that atmosphere together,” said Nagaki.

“Home games are obviously always must-win matches, but in the J.League we have struggled to pick up three points in our home ties lately.

“So, if we could win at home in the AFC Champions League, the chance of us going to the next stage will rise, so we would like to give that to our fans.”

Kashima defeated Muangthong on MD6 to win Group E

Currently sixth in the J.League table, Japan’s defending champions Kashima suffered back-to-back home defeats in their domestic championship before their 1-0 defeat in Guangzhou, after losing to Vissel Kobe and then fellow 2017 AFC Champions League contenders Kawasaki Frontale.

To end the losing streak extending to four games - and suffering elimination from the Round of 16 - Nagaki, a self-confessed fan of Chelsea midfielder N’golo Kante, stressed it would be important to nullify the influence of Guangzhou’s Brazilian contingent.

“[The three key players on Guangzhou’s team are] Paulinho, Ricardo Goulart and Alan,” he said.

Nagaki believes Paulinho is the danger man

“Their playing style is very aggressive so that's where the game could be won and lost. We need to be careful of their direct, aggressive play.”

Aggressive play is a theme that that Nagaki’s team-mate, Yuma Suzuki, also touches upon.

The 21-year-old striker has enjoyed a highly successful 2017 AFC Champions League campaign so far, scoring four goals so far on the continent.

Suzuki has netted four AFC Champions League goals so far

“In the J.League, the tempo of the passing and the techniques are at a high level but in the AFC Champions League, their skill of managing the ball is aggressive and the offense and defense are very intense,” said Suzuki.

“We cannot let Guangzhou defeat us in this manner so I just think we are different in terms of aggressiveness.

“Even though they are strong team I am quite confident that I could score against them when there is a chance. We will do our best to win against Guangzhou to go to the next stage.”

Photos: Lagardère Sports

Source: the-afc.com

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