WHO ARE YA?! WHO ARE YA?! Kashiwa Reysol

Following the closely fought away match last week, which Kitchee were unlucky to lose 1-0, Japanese team Kashiwa Reysol visit Hong Kong this week for the fourth match of this year's ACL group stage.  Here's everything you need to know about the men from Chiba! 

WHO ARE YA?!

Originally founded in 1940 as Hitachi Ltd Soccer Company, Kashiwa Reysol is one of the oldest clubs in the J.League.  As Hitachi, the club was fairly successful during the mid-1970s, winning several Emperor's Cups and League Championships as well as contributing several players to the Japan National Team. However, several lean years followed until they were revitalized in the early 90's when the team was moved from its base in Koganei City to Kashiwa and were re-established as Kashiwa Reysol. 

It didn't take long for success to follow for the Sun Kings, winning the 2011 J-League Crown just a year after having been promoted as League 2 champions, and then going on to win the Emperor's cup in 2012 and the J-League Cup the year after that. 

Kashiwa Reysol aren't strangers to ACL action either, making their debut appearance in 2012 and reaching the quarter finals where they were eliminated after losing 3-2 to eventual champions Ulsan Hyundai. The following season they went one better, qualifying for the Semi Finals but then bowing out thanks to an 8-1 hammering by, again eventual champions, Guangzhou Evergrande. In 2015, they faced Evergrande again in the quarter finals but were unable to gain revenge - this time losing 4-2 on aggregate.

WHERE DO THEY PLAY?

Reysol play at the Hitachi Kashiwa Soccer Stadium, located in the heart of Kashiwa City in Chiba Prefecture. The stadium is as known as “Hitachdai”, kind of like Arsenal's stadium being known as the "Emirates".  Hitachidai is actually one of the few football-oriented stadiums in Japan - as it doesn't have a running track around the pitch - and so fans are able to enjoy an up-close view of the match. 

With a capacity of just 15,900, the Stadium is one of the smaller stadiums in Japan. However, as kitchee fans present in Chiba last week would testify, the home support is extremely passionate with the stand behind the goal being particularly vocal, singing throughout the match. With the home fixture in Japan only attracting 5,600 fans, there is again the chance that there will be more supporters for the Hong Kong leg of this tie.

ANY GOOD PLAYERS?!

 Kashiwa's best current players are arguably Brazillian striker Cristiano and home grown Japanese midfielder Junya Ito.  Ito will need no introduction to Kitchee fans. It was he who came off the bench just after half time and scored the winning goal in last week's match with just about his first touch of the ball, after eluding Dani Cancela at the back post and knocking the ball back past the 'keeper into the far corner. Ito has played for the club since 2016 and has recently gone on to establish himself as a regular in the Japanese national team.

Cristiano signed for Reysol in 2016 for EUR1.2m after a successful season on loan the year before from J Legaue 2 club, Ventforet Kofu. Now 31 years old, the striker has gone on to score 54 times in 114 appearances for the club, as well as helping with over 30 assists, and has established himself as a firm fan's favourite. 

CAN KITCHEE WIN?!

Kitchee certainly gave Reysol a run for their money in the away game and things could have been very different had Fernando converted his chance in the first half, which was eventually cleared off the line.  However, that was against a weakened line-up (with Ito and Cristiano both starting on the bench) and having been run so close last week, Reysol may not take Kitchee for granted again in the latest match up.  

Nevertheless, the good all-round performance will have given the team more confidence in the ACL following two previously disappointing performances.  The return of Cancela sured up defence and Kitchee created better chances in that match than they had the entirety of the previous two.  ABS, optimistic as ever, thinks that we have a good chance of a draw and hopefully chalking up our first ever ACL points but let's get behind the lads and hopefully cheer them on to all three!