We get to know what Head Coach Steve Corica’s side will be facing this week in Japan.
Coming off a draw against Ulsan Hyundai in their opening game of the 2019 AFC Champions League group stage, the Sky Blues travel to Japan this week as they seek to gain three points away from home against Japanese Champions Kawasaki Frontale.
We get to know what Head Coach Steve Corica’s side will be facing this week:
How did they qualify?
Winning back-to-back titles, Kawasaki Frontale were once again crowned the 2018 J-League Champions, sealing their spot in Group H of the 2019 AFC Asian Champions League season in the process.
What is their history in the AFC Champions League?
Kawasaki have made six appearances in the club’s history in the continental competition. Having advanced past the group stage four times, their best showings remain reaching the quarter-finals in 2007, 2009 and 2017.
However, the 2018 Champions League season proved unsuccessful for the team as they dropped out of the competition without winning a single game in the group stage of the tournament.
Who are their key players?
Toru Oniki’s side is set to make an impact this season with their latest signing of Brazilian striker Leandro Damiao. Formally from Internacional in Brazil, the striker scored the only goal in Kawasaki’s recent Japanese Super Cup victory over arch rivals Urawa Red Diamonds.
Damiao joins Kawasaki who already boasts the likes of top J-League players such as Hiroyuki Abe, Akihiro Ienaga, Shogo Taniguchi and Samurai Blue’s player Yu Kobayashi.
Where’s their home?
The Kawasaki Todoroki Stadium has been home to Kawasaki Frontale since 1962. The 26,000 seater venue will play host to Sydney FC on Wednesday 13 March (9pm Kick off AEDT)
