Saitama: Takafumi Hori insists Urawa Red Diamonds are in confident mode ahead of the second leg of the AFC Champions League final with Al Hilal on Saturday.
The sides go into the tie on level terms after playing out a 1-1 draw in Riyadh last week after Omar Khribin cancelled out Rafael Silva's early strike.
Urawa will be crowned continental champions should they claim a seventh home win on the bounce, while a scoreless draw would also see them lift the AFC Champions League for a second time.
"This game is going to be very difficult but it's at home at Saitama Stadium which means we can play with the full support of our fans," said Urawa head coach Hori.
"After the first game we have prepared fully and we are very confident about the game tomorrow, so we're hoping to get the result that will make our fans happy."
Urawa's leading scorer Silva had given the 2007 continental champions the perfect start at King Fahd International Stadium last week, but Hori's team then had to withstand a wave of pressure.
Indeed Urawa were indebted to their goalkeeper, Shusaku Nishikawa, who made a string of excellent saves to earn his side the draw.
"The away game was really difficult but thanks to the hard work of the players and the supporters who came from Japan we were able to get a good result," added Hori.
Now, just like in the semi-final when Urawa drew 1-1 with Shanghai SIPG in China, they return to Saitama Stadium knowing a win will confirm them as the victors.
Silva scored the goal in a 1-0 win in the second leg against Shanghai, but the Brazilian forward hobbled off in Riyadh and has faced a battle to be fit for Saturday'sclash.
"Silva has been training with the team as always," said Hori when quizzed on his top goalscorer's fitness.
Urawa have been in dominant form at home, winning six from six, including memorable comebacks in the Round of 16 and quarter-finals against Jeju United and Kawasaki Frontale.
But Al Hilal remain unbeaten on the continent, having not lost in 13 games, meaning something will have to give when the tournament reaches its climax on Saturday.
Photos: AFP
Source: the-afc.com