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HONG KONG (Reuters) – Kashima Antlers head coach Go Oiwa has claimed that the draw between the Japanese in Iran to win a first Asian Champions League title was more rewarding than pushing Real Madrid until the final of the FIFA Club World Cup two years ago.
Kashima won his first continental title with a scoreless draw against Persepolis at the massive Azadi Stadium on Saturday to seal a cumulative win after a 2-0 home victory in the opening match of last week .
With the win, the Oiwa team became the second Japanese club in a row to win the Asian Champions League after the success of Urawa Reds in 2017, allowing Kashima to surrender at the FIFA Club World Cup in the United Arab Emirates next month.
"I am so proud that we won the Asian Champions League title for the first time," Oiwa told reporters.
"We played Real Madrid in the final of the FIFA Club World Cup two years ago, but for me tonight is more satisfying as we won the title.
"The name of Kashima Antlers will now echo throughout Asia."
Oiwa was an assistant coach when Kashima, who won the Champions League title, qualified for the 2016 FIFA Club World Cup final at home. He took over when Masatada Ishii was fired six months later.
In the final, Cristiano Ronaldo's hat-trick earned Real a 4-2 overtime victory in Yokohama. Antlers could still face the Spanish giants in the semifinals of the world tournament next month if they manage to get rid of those of Mexico. Guadalajara.
The Asian title of the Antlers was built on an impressive win in the first leg when the Brazilian duo Leo Silva and Serginho scored to give the eight-time Japanese champions a significant advantage for the return leg in front of 80,000 spectators in Tehran.
Despite the concerted efforts of Branko Ivankovic's team to return to the match, with striker Ali Alipour constituting a constant threat, Kashima has insisted on becoming the third Japanese club to win the Asian Champions League since its inception in 2002.
"It was a very difficult match, but my players were very mobile, fought well and I'm delighted with the result, I lost my voice, but it's worth it," added Oiwa.
"Persepolis was the strongest team we faced in the Asian Champions League this year, not only the tactics and the team, but also their fans, who are magnificent.
"I said that our goal was to win at the Azadi Stadium, but we have all seen how difficult it is to play Persepolis on their home field and I wish them all the best."
(Michael Church report, edited by John O & # 39; Brien)
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