28 Dec 2006(Thu)

December 27, 2006: It’s only natural that Urawa Reds are getting all the attention at the moment.

Crowned league champions for the first time, still in the Emperor’s Cup, Guido Buchwald with his suitcases packed for Stuttgart, Tulio the J.League MVP…

But spare a thought for Kawasaki Frontale.

Runners-up to Reds after a swashbuckling campaign, Frontale will also represent Japan in next year’s AFC Champions League – and have a great chance to win their group and advance to the last eight.

While Reds were being drawn with Sydney FC, Shanghai Shenhua and Persik Kediri of Indonesia in Pool E, Frontale will play Bangkok University, Arema Malang (Indonesia) and Chunnam Dragons of South Korea in Pool F.

The format is tough, with only the group winner progressing to the quarter-finals, so there is little room for error.

Frontale, though, have enough quality to get through. They have a very distinctive style of play, unlike any other J1 team, and I hope they maintain this style in the Asian Champions League.

They have several big, strong players who form the backbone of the team, as well as pace up front and out wide, and craft in the middle through Kengo Nakamura. They are relentless and ruthless against physically weaker teams in Japan – just ask Omiya Ardija – and batter opponents into submission.

I hope they do this next season in the Champions League, especially against the Koreans, who may be intimidated by their all-action style. It would be great to see Frontale coming out firing on all cylinders at home and away against Chunnam, as surely first place in the group will be contested by these two teams.

The conditions and environment may not be too inspiring on their travels, but still Frontale should be able to brush past Bangkok University and Arema Malang.

One thing is for sure. Both Reds and Frontale will be giving it their best shot in the Asian Champions League next year, especially with the juicy carrot of a place in the FIFA Club World Cup waiting at the end of it.

ends