Al Nassr Vs Kawasaki

As the AFC Champions League Elite approaches its climax in Jeddah, Kawasaki Frontale stands as the sole non-Saudi team remaining in the competition. Despite the formidable challenge posed by Al Nassr, featuring stars like Cristiano Ronaldo, Sadio Mané, and Jhon Durán, Kawasaki's head coach, Shigetoshi Hasebe, is determined to defy expectations. 

Kawasaki secured their semi-final spot with a 3–2 extra-time victory over Qatar's Al Sadd, becoming the only East Asian team to reach this stage. This achievement is particularly significant for Hasebe, who took over the team in December 2024. He emphasized the importance of breaking the prevailing notion that East Asian teams are inferior, stating, "Now there is only one club, one force from the east. Just us. I’m trying to break again that kind of image in the next game." 

However, Kawasaki faces challenges beyond their opponent's star power. They have had one less day to prepare for the semi-final compared to Al Nassr and are coming off an exhausting extra-time match. Despite these hurdles, Hasebe remains focused on his team's performance, asserting that outcomes depend on each match and that Eastern teams can win too. 

The semi-final match between Al Nassr and Kawasaki Frontale is scheduled for Wednesday night in Jeddah. The winner will face Al Ahli, who advanced to the final after defeating Al Hilal 3–1.