Harry Kewell wary as Yokohama F Marinos closes on maiden Asian Champions League title

Harry Kewell guides his Yokohama F Marinos team during their ACL final first-leg win. Photo: Getty
Australian coach Harry Kewell remains wary of the threat posed by Hernan Crespoâs Al-Ain side despite guiding his Yokohama F Marinos to a 2-1 first-leg lead on home soil in the final of the Asian Champions League.
Marinos fought back in Saturdayâs match after going behind to Mohammed Abbasâ 12th-minute strike to secure victory through late goals from Asahi Uenaka and Kota Watanabe, making the Japanese slight favourites ahead of the second leg in the United Arab Emirates.
The teams will meet again on May 25 with Kewell cautious ahead of the clash at the former championsâ Hazza bin Zayed Stadium.
âWe have to understand thereâs another 90 minutes to be played and itâs going to be very difficult,â Socceroos great Kewell told reporters at Yokohama International Stadium.
Tweet from @OptusSport
âThis is the challenge I set my team, that we set ourselves and we look forward to that. We have to concentrate, we have to work hard and tidy up in a few areas.
âThey can enjoy the moment, but thereâs still a long way to go in this tie.â
Tweet from @TheAFCCL
Both coaches know from experience how matches can change dramatically, with the pair on opposite sides during their playing days when Liverpool fought back from 3-0 down to defeat AC Milan on penalties in the 2005 UEFA Champions League final.
Kewell finished on the winning side that night in Istanbul and is refusing to allow his Marinos players to become complacent ahead of the second leg.
âIâm not going to sit here and say the game is finished,â he said. âIâm not silly enough to do that.
Tweet from @TheAFCCL
âOf course (Crespoâs) going to say that their teamâs confident enough to go out there and get goals, but weâre also confident to go out there and score goals.
âWe went out there and played a certain style and I feel confident in my team, not only in this game but throughout the competition, through the league.
âWeâre getting stronger and stronger. So itâs going to be a great test for us, but itâs also going to be a very good test for them.â
Tweet from @TheAFCCL
Kewell, who only took over as Marinos coach in December, said he was eagerly anticipating the return leg, with the winners also earning Asiaâs final berth at next yearâs FIFA Club World Cup.
âWeâre looking forward to seeing what they can bring and we will be there looking forward to this challenge,â he said.
âIâm excited about it because in football anything can happen. The one thing is weâve got a good opportunity, and thatâs all you can give yourself.â
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