Nagasawa ‘honoured’ to be part of AFC Champions League final
Saitama: Kazuki Nagasawa says it is an “honour” and a “privilege” to play in the showpiece event of the AFC Champions League as Japan’s Urawa Red Diamonds prepare to face Saudi Arabia’s Al Hilal in the second leg of the final on Saturday.
Urawa go into the home tie with a slender advantage thanks to Rafael Silva’s away goal in the 1-1 draw in the first leg in Riyadh, as they look to win the title for the first time since their maiden triumph in 2007.
No Japanese team have won the AFC Champions League since the following season when Gamba Osaka – who defeated Urawa in that year’s semi-finals – lifted the trophy, and Nagasawa intends to capitalise on his special opportunity.
“As a player it’s a real honour,” said Nagasawa, who has started Urawa’s last three matches on the continent.
“If you look at recent years no Japanese players have made it all the way to the final in the ACL, and so it’s a privilege to be able to do so. Now as a team we have to make sure to take this chance.”
The 25-year-old former FC Koln midfielder had not started a game for Urawa in the 2017 competition until the first leg of the semi-final with Shanghai SIPG.
But a strong performance in China saw coach Takafumi Hori keep faith in him and Nagasawa has maintained his place ever since.
The Chiba native will again be expected to start in the do-or-die second leg clash on Saturday in what will be the biggest match of his career to date.
“I’m not really feeling any pressure," admitted Nagasawa. "The first leg was away and the second leg is at home at Saitama Stadium, our home.
“We want to fight by turning the supporters’ voices into our strength.”
Urawa have won all six of their home games in this year’s competition, and their fans create a famously intimidating atmosphere for visiting sides – never more so than in 2007 when they roared their team to victory with a 2-0 second leg win over Sepahan of the Islamic Republic of Iran.
On that occasion, too, Urawa had drawn the first leg 1-1, and Nagasawa is sure the home support will do all they can to carry the hosts to glory again.
“At home I think we have a real ‘winning atmosphere’ made for us," he added.
"Of course if we play well that enables us to win, but I think the fans’ support really draws that ability out of us. They’re very talented at creating a fantastic atmosphere which then helps us as players to win the games.”
Photos: Lagardère Sports
Source: the-afc.com
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