Ahead of the “SURUGA bank Championship 2017 SAITAMA Urawa Red Diamonds vs Chapecoense” on Tuesday 15 August at the Saitama Stadium 2002, the press conference was held at the JFA House on Tuesday 18 July.

The following press conference was convened by President of the Japan Football Association TASHIMA Kohzo, President and CEO of SURUGA bank Ltd., the presenting sponsor of the championship, OKANO Mitsuyoshi, Coach Mihailo PETROVIC and RAFAEL DA SILVA of Urawa Red Diamonds who will be entering the tournament as the J.LEAGUE YBC Levain CUP 2016 champions.

Urawa will be making their first appearance on the 10th commemorative year of the annual ‘Suruga bank Championship’. Towards claiming the new title for the club, Urawa’s coach Petrovic expresses the importance of the tournament, ‘In the history of Urawa Red Diamonds, it is an honour for us to participate in this tournament for the first time.’ Furthermore, Silva added with enthusiasm, ‘I believe it will be a spectacular match. I cannot wait to face a team from my home country.’

Moreover, at the presser, the video messages from Chapecoense President PLINIO DAVID DE NES FILHO and Coach VINIVIUS EUTROPIO were screened. President Filho expresses his strong aspiration for the tournament, ‘The following championship strengthens the friendly ties between the two countries, the two ethnic groups and the two teams. In the exchange that symbolises peace and joy, Chapecoense will be looking to open a new chapter in their club history.’ Coach Eutropio further comments on his aim for the championship, ‘This is our first intercontinental competition. As the representative of Brazil, we will do our best and compete with pride as well.’

The match between J.LEAGUE YBC Levain CUP 2016 winners Urawa Red Diamonds and COPA SUDAMERICANA 2016 champions Chapecoense (Brazil) is scheduled to kick off at 19:00 on Tuesday 15 August at the Saitama Stadium 2002.

Comments

Mihailo PETROVIC, Coach (Urawa Red Diamonds)
In the history of Urawa Red Diamonds, it is an honour for us to participate in this tournament for the first time. A match with Chapecoense who faced a tragic accident last year will have a completely different meaning as well. I expect an exciting game facing a Brazilian team. Depending on who is watching the match, it could simply be a thrilling match. However, we view this match as an excellent chance to show the world that the J. League club can play some wonderful football as well. As the hosting country and home team, we would like to welcome Chapecoense with all of our heart. We hope that they will come to Japan and Urawa to enjoy the tournament as well.

RAFAEL DA SILVA (Urawa Red Diamonds)
I believe it will be a spectacular match for both Chapecoense and us. I am confident further that this will be memorable game for all the viewers of the game. We would like to welcome Chapecoense with the warmest hospitality and make this match memorable that they will not forget about Japan as well. As a Brazilian player, I am really looking forward to playing against the team from my home country. And as a footballer, I am cannot wait to face Chapecoense in Japan as well.

TASHIMA Kohzo, President (Japan Football Association)
The match against the champions of South America with many powerhouse clubs is an excellent opportunity for the J.League club to display in a true sense their level of football to the world. I am confident that this championship will lead the J.League to close the gap between the world standard as a whole. I believe both teams will compete with pride and strong aspiration as well. I expect further a memorable match with courage, hope and respect. I hope many people will come to the stadium and watch the match.

OKANO Mitsuyoshi, President and CEO (SURUGA bank Ltd.)
Suruga bank Championship will commemorate its 10th tournament this year. We have come a long way through and it cannot be simply expressed by saying the ‘10th championship’. Young children have experienced many memorable moments and learned many things from watching the serious battles between the South American powerhouses and the J.League clubs for the past nine years. I believe this tournament has expanded their hopes and dreams as well. Looking back at the past results, Japanese clubs edge the South American counterparts with 5 wins and 4 losses. I hope Urawa Red Diamonds making their first championship appearance will compete with strong passion against Chapecoense as a representative of Japan as well.

JFA-TV (Japanese version only)

15 August 2017(Tue.) Kick-off at 19:00 (Estimated time)
Saitama Stadium ２００２

Urawa Red Diamonds (Japan/ J.LEAGUE YBC Levain CUP 2016 winners)
　　vs 
Chapecoense (Brazil/ COPA SUDAMERICANA 2016 winners)

For more information