Doha: Kawasaki Frontale's coach Shigetoshi Hasebe affirmed his team's readiness for their quarter-final showdown against Al Sadd, set to take place on Sunday, at Prince Abdullah Al Faisal Stadium in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, as part of the AFC Champions League Elite competition.

According to Qatar News Agency, speaking at the pre-match press conference, Hasebe said that they are fully aware of the strength of the opponent, which features exceptional players and is led by a coach with extensive experience in Asian football. It is essential to maintain focus from the very beginning of the match, adopt an offensive strategy, and capitalize on opportunities effectively.

He emphasized that the opening minutes will be decisive, pledging that Kawasaki will stick to their game plan in pursuit of victory and continue their successful journey in this prestigious tournament.

Hasebe expressed his aspirations of reaching the final and winning the title for the first time in the club's history, highlighting the team's strong performances in previous rounds that secured their place among the continent's top eight teams.

The winner in this face-off will progress to the semi-finals and face the victor of today's game between Yokohama Marinos and Al Nassr, scheduled for later.

This encounter marks the first-ever meeting between Kawasaki Frontale and Al Sadd in the competition, with Kawasaki facing their first challenge against a Qatari club, while Al Sadd competes against a Japanese team for the first time in their history of Asian tournaments.