){kind=small}
Premier){kind=small}
POR
){kind=small}
SOF
){kind=small}
MSU
){kind=small}
MUR
){kind=small}
POL
){kind=small}
SHA
){kind=small}
TUF
){kind=small}
KAS
){kind=small}
MAU
){kind=small}
BAN
){kind=small}
KCB
){kind=small}
NAC
){kind=small}
FCT
){kind=small}
AFC
){kind=small}
ULS
){kind=small}
GOM
){kind=small}
BID
){kind=small}
KAK
)
After dumping Cristiano Ronaldo's Al Nassr side out of the AFC Champions League, Kawasaki boss Shigetoshi Hasebe remains defiant ahead of the final against Al Ahli
Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr were supposed to roll into the Asian Champions League Elite final, but Kawasaki Frontale had other ideas.
PAY ATTENTION: Check out Bet Of The Day page - we provide expert tips
After a stunning 3-2 victory over the Saudi giants, Kawasaki coach Shigetoshi Hasebe fired shots at Al Nassr, final opponents Al Hilal, and football’s money obsession.
Kawasaki Frontale boss claps back at Saudi riches after giant-killing display
Speaking after sending Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr packing, Hasebe made it clear that his team didn’t need fat chequebooks to compete, saying, "The budget is a very important factor, but the players are not playing with their wallets or their credit cards.
)
"The players play football on the pitch. Of course, money and the budget will affect things somehow, but football is played on the pitch."
Kawasaki’s wage bill is just a fraction of their rivals’, but they stunned the Saudi side and punched their ticket to the final for the first time in club history.
)
Now, with a clash against Al-Ahli, a team valued at $200 million and stacked with big names like Riyad Mahrez, Ivan Toney, and Roberto Firmino, looming Hasebe is staying calm after eliminating a Ronaldo-led side.
Kawasaki gearing up for final showdown
The upcoming final in Jeddah will feel like an away day for Kawasaki, playing in the home country of their opponents in the final, but Hasebe thinks his team might not be totally alone in enemy territory.
)
Around 300 diehard fans made the 16-hour trip from Japan, and more are expected, but the real surprise could come from inside Saudi Arabia.
Kawasaki’s coach still believes that his side will have the support on the day, telling reporters, “I don’t think all the Saudi people are supporting Al-Ahli,” hinting that rivals of Al-Ahli, like Al-Hilal or even Al-Nassr fans, could throw support behind the underdogs.
)
With no injuries and morale sky-high, Kawasaki are hoping to make history in Saudi Arabia with confidence sky high.
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)