Al Hilal heartbreak as Urawa Red Diamonds clinch Asian Champions League title
Urawa Red Diamonds are champions of Asia for a third time after they defeated holders Al Hilal 2-1 on aggregate in the Asian Champions League final on Saturday.
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Urawa Red Diamonds are champions of Asia for a third time after they defeated holders Al Hilal 2-1 on aggregate in the Asian Champions League final on Saturday.
DOHA : Spain coach Luis Enrique made five changes for his team's final World Cup Group E match against Japan on Thursday as the Reds seek to avoid a defeat to qualify for the next round, bringing in defenders Cesar Azpilicueta, Pau Torres and Alejandro Balde.
Japan supporters wave a giant Japanese flag ahead of the start of the Qatar 2022 World Cup Group E football match between Japan and Costa Rica at the Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium in Al-Rayyan, west of Doha on November 27, 2022. (Photo by Giuseppe CACACE / AFP)
DOHA: Japan made five changes from their team that beat Germany in their World Cup opener as they face Costa Rica on Sunday.Attackers Ritsu Doan, who came on and scored against Germany, Yuki Soma and Ayase Ueda come into the starting line-up as Japan look to take a big step toward the knockout round.Right-back Miki Yamane replaces the injured Hiroki Sakai, while fit-again midfielder Hidemasa Morita comes in for Ao Tanaka.Costa Rica make only two changes to the team that started the campaign with a 7-0 drubbing at the hands of Spain in Group E.Teenage winger Jewison Bennette and defender Carlos Martinez drop to the bench, with Gerson Torres and Kendall Waston replacing them.Starting line-ups:Japan (4-2-3-1)Shuichi Gonda; Miki Yamane, Kou Itakura, Maya Yoshida (captain), Yuto Nagatomo; Wataru Endo, Hidemasa Morita; Ritsu Doan, Daichi Kamada, Yuki Soma; Ayase UedaCoach: Hajjime MoriyasuCosta Rica (5-3-2)Keylor Navas; Keysher Fuller, Oscar Duarte, Francisco Calvo, Bryan Oviedo, Kendall Waston; Celso Borges, Yeltsin Tejeda, Gerson Torres; Anthony Contreras, Joel CampbellCoach: Luis Fernando Suarez (COL)Referee: Michael Oliver (ENG)
Japan ran out 2-0 winners over the USA as they continued their World Cup warm-up with plenty of Scottish Premiership interest in the clash. Daizen Maeda, Kyogo and Reo Hatate all in the Japan squad while Rangers' Malik Tillman was included for the USA.
TOKYO : Japan international defender Hiroki Sakai said Urawa Red Diamonds' progress to the Asian Champions League final had vindicated his decision to return to the J1 League despite opposition from those closest to him.