The AFC Champions League 2015 (ACL) enters its matchday 4 of the group stage on Tuesday 7 and Wednesday 8 April. While Kashiwa Reysol stand at second in Group E and seal a last 16 berth with one more victory, Kashima Antlers, Urawa Reds and Gamba Osaka need a win to keep their hopes alive of advancing past the group stage.

Kashima face the 2013 ACL champions Guangzhou Evergrande at home. With a victory over Kashima, the four-time defending Chinese Super League champions, who are the Group H leaders with three straight wins, advance to the knockout stage before their remaining two group stage matches in hand.

In the previous fixture against Guangzhou on 18 March, Kashima, after taking a 2-1 lead in the second half, allowed two goals to Brazilian attackers Elkeson and Ricardo Goulart and gave away the lead. They also gave up another goal in the added time, and although midfielder SHIBASAKI Gaku showed tenacity with a goal in the closing minutes, Kashima lost the match 4-3.

Goulart, Brazilian international, is a danger man for Kashima. While he just joined the Chinese club this season after transferring from Cruzeiro, he has scored six goals in three matches including a hat-trick against reigning champions Western Sydney Wanderers (Australia). He has also grabbed two goals in the domestic league so far. Guangzhou head coach, former Italian international defender, Fabio Cannavaro praises him, saying “He is doing a great job in an unfamiliar environment.”

Guangzhou moved down to seventh place with their first domestic league loss of the season on 3 April after starting with two wins and one tie. But they are still a tough competitor holding a number of Chinese internationals such as midfielder Zheng Zhi and Korea Republic international defender Kim Young Gwon.

Meanwhile, having conceded eight goals and recorded three losses in a row, Kashima need a victory to keep their hopes alive for a knockout stage berth. As they grabbed a 3-1 comeback win against Tosu for their first victory of the J.League Division 1 last week, they look to take advantage of the upbeat momentum for the Guangzhou match.

Urawa to meet strong defending Beijing

Beijing Guoan are also tough for Urawa to win the home match on 8th. Group G leaders Beijing, winning three straight matches, will pass through the group stage with a victory over Urawa, but the J.League side also look for the victory to retain the possibility of advancing to the next round.

Among the participating 32 teams, Guangzhou Evergrande and Beijing are the only two teams who won all the three matches. And only Beijing kept clean sheets in the matches. With three wins and one tie in the domestic league so far, the current Chinese league leaders have given up the fewest goals, only one, after completing their fourth league match on 3 April.

Urawa lost the last match 0-2 in Beijing but need to unlock Beijing’s strong defence for their first ACL victory of the season.

In addition to Argentine midfielder Pablo Batalla, scoring three goals in four matches including the ACL playoff, Beijing have former Sweden international midfielder Erton Fejzullahu, who posted three goals in four domestic league matches, come back from suspension. With Montenegro international forward Dejan Damjanovic and Chinese international Zhang Chengdong, Beijing equip sufficient attacking power. J.League-leading Urawa, marking three wins and one tie so far, are tested their capability.

Urawa head coach Mihailo Petrovic says  “It’s going to be a very tough match, but we will put high pressure on from the beginning and square up for the opponents.”

Gamba Osaka to meet Buriram United on road

Gamba Osaka’s away battle is also no exception. They meet Thai Premier League champions Buriram United on the road on 7th.

In Group F, group-leading Buriram have earned seven points with two wins and one tie and second-placed Seongnam FC (Korea Republic) have gained six points with two wins and one loss. They take a six-point lead and a five-point lead respectively ahead of Gamba, who have just earned one point. If Gamba lose the next match and Seongnam win against Guangzhou R&F, Gamba’s hope for the knockout stage will be cut off. The Osaka side drew with Buriram 1-1 at home in the last match but have got to sustain their hope of advancing the group stage in the next one.

Buriram have kept in form as they won the last two matches after one win and three ties in the domestic league. It is expected that the Thai side go on an offensive surge led by forwards Gilberto Macena and Diogo with support from fanatic home fans.

Although forward Patric’s suspension for accumulated yellow cards may hurt Gamba, they hang their hopes on forward Usami Takashi, who made an international debut late last month and scored his first goal as a Japanese international.

Usami contributed to his team’s second consecutive league win with two goals on 3 April as well. “We are picking up on the pace. There is a potential, so we will work hard to win the following three matches,” says Usami.

Kashiwa to play in Shandong

On the other hand, Kashiwa Reysol stand at the closest place to the last 16 among the four Japanese teams. Kashiwa are at second place in Group E and tail Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors (Korea Republic) by goal difference, both having earned seven points with two wins and one tie.

Kashiwa’s away counterparts Shandong Luneng FC (CHN) on 8th are at third place with three points after one win and two losses. If Kashiwa win next, they secure the top two places in the group with 10 points and seal last 16 spot.

While Kashiwa beat Shandong 2-1 at home in the last ACL leg, the home side moved up to third place after two straight wins in the Chinese league. Forward Yang Xu, who scored three goals in the last two matches, and defender Dai Lin come back from suspension. The Chinese side, however, have conceded eight goals in the three ACL matches of the season, which is tied for the third-worst among the 32 teams. If Kashiwa can disrupt the opposing defensive force with in-form midfielder TAKETOMI Kosuke, the Japanese outfit are likely to find an opening.

Despite Shandong playing at home after four days off , Kashiwa has only three days off after their J.League match on 4th and the three days include a trip to China. It also seems important for them to refresh their mind after losing the recent two league matches in a row.

AFC Chamapions League 2015 

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