Teguramori tips Kawasaki to lead J.League charge
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E-mail China.org.cn, February 19, 2014
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Current Japan Olympic team coach Makoto Teguramori took charge of Vegalta Sendai in the group stage of the 2013 AFC Champions League. |
Former Vegalta Sendai coach Makoto Teguramori has tipped Kawasaki Frontale to lead Japan's pursuit of a first AFC Champions League title since 2008 when the 2014 edition kicks off next week, with Yahiro Kazama's team possessing the counterattacking potency to make an impact against any side across the continent.
Teguramori guided Sendai to their first-ever AFC Champions League campaign last year and, although the J.League side missed out on a place in the knockout stages, they were the only side to defeat eventual finalists FC Seoul in 90 minutes after beating the K-League side 1-0 during the group stage.
Gamba Osaka were the last Japanese team to win the title, claiming the crown in 2008 after Urawa Reds had lifted the trophy 12 months earlier, and the nation will be represented in the 2014 edition by J.League champions Sanfrecce Hiroshima, Emperor's Cup winners Yokohama F. Marinos, Kawasaki and Cerezo Osaka.
"I want all of the Japanese teams to go far in the tournament, but I fancy Kawasaki to do the best," said Teguramori, who is now coach of the Japan Olympic team.
"Even though it's Kawasaki manager Mr. Kazama's first time in the AFC Champions League competition, their ability to both retain possession and hit teams on the counterattack is really dangerous, probably the most deadly on the continent."
Two-time AFC Champions League quarter-finalists Kawasaki, who finished third in the J.League last season, begin their campaign at home to Chinese FA Cup winners Guizhou Renhe on February 26, with Australia's Western Sydney Wanderers and 2012 champions Ulsan Hyundai also drawn in Group H.
"Their captain Kengo Nakamura has so much experience, especially on the international stage with the national team. Two other crucial players involved in the Kawasaki attack include Renato, the striker, and last season's J.League top scorer Yoshito Okubo," said Teguramori.
"If these three players can work well together on the counterattack and lead the combinations of play throughout the team then they will be one of the most dangerous sides in the tournament and in Asia."
Casting his eye over Japan's other AFC Champions League representatives, Teguramori stressed the importance of reigning two-time domestic champions Hiroshima improving on their disappointing continental campaign last year when they were eliminated in the group stage.
Hiroshima have been drawn against 2013 finalists FC Seoul from Korea Republic as well as A-League Grand Final winners Central Coast Mariners and China's Beijing Guoan in Group F, but Teguramori believes Hajime Moriyasu's side can build on last year's winless campaign.
"Sanfrecce have very unique tactics in the J.League, they utilise a 3-4-3 formation, which gives their team both depth and width from which to operate," said Teguramori, who stepped down as Sendai coach last year to be replaced by Australian Graham Arnold.
"They are very good at dragging other teams out of position to allow themselves a range of options on the ball and this helps them dictate play. And I think that could work very well against FC Seoul.
"But it's a must that the J.League champion goes through to the knockout stage. I remember being very upset, as a J.League manager, seeing the J.League champion being eliminated in the group stages."
Having narrowly missed out on the domestic title last season after being pipped to the post by a point on the final day of the J.League season by Hiroshima, Teguramori believes Yokohama's reliance on evergreen veterans including 2013 J.League MVP Shunsuke Nakamura as well as defenders Yuji Nakazawa and Brazilian Dutra could prove problematic.
"Given the tight schedule that Japanese teams face with both AFC Champions League and J.League fixtures, they will have to really manage their schedule well to progress to the knockout stages," said Teguramori.
"It is good to have the experience that they have, with players like Nakamura and Nakazawa, but the fact is that the team have a lot more older, veteran players than youngsters in their side.
"My concern is how well they will be able to deal with the combined rigours of the AFC Champions League and J.League; it could be a real obstacle for them."
By contrast, 2011 AFC Champions League quarter-finalists Cerezo are a comparatively youthful outfit, according to Teguramori, and have the potential to go far under new coach Ranko Popovic.
The Group E contenders were given a boost ahead of the new season with the signing of Uruguayan international striker and 2010 FIFA World Cup MVP Diego Forlan.
"Personally, I fancy Cerezo to do well because they have a very young team and have a new manager in Popovic who managed FC Tokyo in the 2012 AFC Champions League, taking them to the Round of 16," said Teguramori.
"They have good skilled individuals and if they can connect their organisational football with these skilled individuals, they could do very well in the tournament."
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