The group stage of the AFC Champions League (ACL) 2105 goes into the matchday 5 on Tuesday 21 and Wednesday 22 April, and the four Japanese clubs, Kashiwa Reysol, Urawa Reds, Kashima Antlers and Gamba Osaka potentially have their fate determined as early as after next match.

As they welcome Suwon Samsung FC (KOR) at home on 21, Urawa are in the toughest situation among the four Japanese participants.

Urawa, the champions of the league back in 2007, currently sit at the bottom of Group G with only one point they acquired after the draw contest against Beijing Guoan (CHN) in the last matchday. Before that match, they recorded three straight losses. Unless they defeat Suwon on Tuesday 21, their elimination from this year’s league will be determined.

Meanwhile Suwon, who are currently on a five-match winning streak and sitting at second place in their domestic K.League, are also at second place in the group. Even when they draw to Urawa, they can advance to the knockout round depending on the outcome of third-placed Brisbane Roar (AUS)’s next match.

In next match against Urawa, defender Oh Beomseok, one of their key players in the every four match so far, is not allowed to suit up for Suwon due to his accumulated warnings. Their offensive end, however, are in good form with likes of former Korea Republic international Yeom Ki Hun with his fourth goal of this season scored in the league match on 18th, former Kawasaki Frontale forward Chong Tese who scored two goals on the same day, and midfielder Seo Jung Jin who already racked up three goals in the four ACL matches so far.

Urawa lost their last contest 1-2 against Suwon on the road when they failed to defend the opening goal by defender MORIWAKI Ryota and allowed two goals in the second half. The positive note for the club is that they are currently leading the J1 league with four wins, no loss and four draws. They certainly look to take their momentum in the home league to the ACL to keep their hope for the group stage alive until the last matchday.

Kashiwa to take on Jeonbuk at home

Of all four Japanese clubs in the league, the one nearing closest to the knockout round are Kashiwa Reysol. They also wait at home for Group D leaders, and current K.League leaders as well, Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors (KOR) to go head-to-head on 21 April.

Both Kashiwa and Jeonbuk clinch the berth for the next round even with a draw. The losers of the next match will still maintain a chance to get a spot in the Round of 16 with a draw or loss by third-placed Shandong Luneng FC (CHN), since Shandon lost to both of top two clubs in the group.

The head coach of Jeonbuk side is Choi Kang Hee, who led his club to one ACL title in 2006 and three K LEAGUE championships including last season. As a national team head coach, he also won the qualifiers for the 2014 FIFA World Cup. His club are enjoying the top spot in the K LEAGUE with a perfect 6-0-1 record. Three Brazilian players are leading their offence as midfielder Leonardo contributed to the club’s four straight wins with four goals scored in three league matches. The other two are forward Edu, four goals so far in the domestic league, and midfielder Eninho with two ACL goals under his belt. Their defensive end, on the other hand, lists Australian international defender Alex Wilkinson and defender Kim Kee Hee who just got called up for Korea Republic National Team for their match in March.

Kashiwa have had wins and losses one after another in the J1 league and lost the Kashima match on 16th. But head coach YOSHIDA Takuma is still optimistic about his team, saying “How we play the match today will be the turning point for our future.” With the disadvantage that Kashiwa lack well-formed Korea Republic International defender Kim Changsoo and Leandro, who scored three goals in the four ACL matches, both because of accumulate yellow cards, the J.League side are striving for a victory with support from home fans against the opponents, who they drew to 0-0 in the away match last February.

Kashima back on track, to face Wanderers

Kashima Antlers face Western Sydney Wanderers in Australia on 21st.
Although Kashima halted their third losing streak and grabbed long-awaited three points with a victory over Guangzhou Evergrande (CHN) in the last fixture on 7th, the Japanese side are still in a situation where they cannot lose to keep their hopes alive for the last 16.

Western Sydney are the reigning ACL champions but have not gained their momentum so far as they lost two matches followed by two draws after the win over Kashima on 25 February. If the Australian side lose the Kashima match, they bow out of the tournament depending on the result of second-placed FC Seoul (KOR). But to make matters even worse for Western Sydney, defender Antony Golec is missing out for accumulated yellow cards.

Kashima’s defender Shoji Gen also miss the clash due to yellow cards, but the team have been upbeat with two wins and two ties in the last four J1 league matches.

Gamba determined to secure victory

In Group F, Gamba Osaka meet Guangzhou R&F (CHN) in China on 22nd.
Gamba closed the gap to three points to group leaders Buriram United (THA) and second-placed Seongnam FC (KOR) both with seven points. The J.League champions so far have got four points by the home draw and the road win both against Buriram in the last two matchdays despite their first two losses in a row. To keep their hopes alive for the last 16, Gamba need a victory in the next fixture.

Guangzhou R&F have earned the same numbers as Gamba with four points and stand at third place by goal difference. They are also in a must-win situation to pass through the group stage. The Chinese side moved up to fifth place with two wins and one draw in the last three Chinese Super League matches.

Gamba currently tail league-leading Urawa by one point in the J1 league. With Japan international Konno Yasuyuki back in the squad from injury, the team have got back to being aggressive. Especially, the combination between forwards Patric and USAMI Takashi has been very hot as Usami helped his team’s four straight wins with four goals in every match in that stretch. The current top scorer in the league is in form with seven goals in six matches.

AFC Champions League 2015

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