Asian Champions League Preview: Kawasaki Frontale Eye Home Victory, Gwangju FC Aims to Trounce Another J.League Team

On October 1 at 6 PM, the second round of the East Asia Zone in the 2024-25 Asian Champions League sees J.League team Kawasaki Frontale hosting K League team Gwangju FC. Both teams secured victories in their first round matches, with Gwangju FC particularly impressive as they thrashed another J.League team, Yokohama F. Marinos, in their debut match in the tournament, drawing attention. In this upcoming match, all eyes are on whether Gwangju FC can replicate their dominant performance against Yokohama F. Marinos when facing another J.League team, Kawasaki Frontale.

This season marks Gwangju FC’s first-ever participation in a tournament of AFC Champions League caliber. In their historic debut, Gwangju FC triumphed 7-3 over Yokohama F. Marinos, who reached the AFC Champions League final last season, placing them atop the East Asia Zone standings thanks to goal difference. Assani starred in that match, scoring a hat-trick and providing an assist for four goals. However, it should be noted that several key players such as Popa, Anderson Lopes, and Kota Mano did not travel with Yokohama F. Marinos to Korea, which contributed to their heavy defeat.

Following their 7-3 victory, Gwangju FC has struggled in recent K League matches, losing 0-2 to Jeju United and 0-2 to Gimcheon Sangmu, suffering two consecutive defeats without scoring. For Gwangju FC, if they wish to leave Japan unscathed after challenging Kawasaki Frontale, their attacking players like Assani must regain form. Additionally, Gwangju FC has only managed one draw and three losses in their last four away games. It is also worth noting that their performance in the K League has been less than ideal, with 13 wins, 1 draw, and 18 losses, totaling 40 points, more losses than wins, and only one draw in 32 matches.

In the first round of the East Asia Zone, Kawasaki Frontale secured a 1-0 victory over Ulsan HD, currently topping the K League, with Marcinho scoring the only goal. After playing Ulsan HD, Kawasaki Frontale returned to the J.League, where they lost 0-2 to Nagoya Grampus and then won 5-1 against Albirex Niigata. In the match against Albirex Niigata, Elsinho and Shinta Yamada both displayed excellent form, with the former scoring twice and providing two assists, contributing to four goals, while the latter scored a brace. Kawasaki Frontale’s key player Ryota Oshima was substituted due to injury during the match against Nagoya Grampus and subsequently missed the game against Albirex Niigata.

Kawasaki Frontale’s performance in the J.League this season has also been less than satisfactory, with 10 wins, 10 draws, and 11 losses, placing them mid-table. Notably, Kawasaki Frontale has had outstanding results at home recently. Since September, they have won three consecutive home matches, defeating Yamanashi Cose (in the J.League Cup) 1-0, Birdnest Sand Rock (in the J.League) 3-2, and Albirex Niigata (in the J.League) 5-1.

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