Yes, we can beat Real: Kashima coach Oiwa

abu dhabi — Kashima Antlers have the ability to beat Real Madrid in the Fifa Club World Cup UAE 2018 semis, Japanese coach Go Oiwa said.

In 2016, Kashima became the first Asian country to reach the final stage of the tournament. The Japanese side then ran into Spanish titan Real Madrid. It was 2-2 after normal time and a certain Cristiano Ronaldo scored a hat trick to sink Kashima’s hopes. Two years down the line, the AFC champions on Saturday thumped CONCACAF winners CD Guadalajara 3-2 in Al Ain to book semis date with Real Madrid.

“Today we suffered an early goal. All players were bit disappointed. We had issues with our positioning and it was difficult to attack. But the players showed the never say die Japanese spirit. We corrected a lot in the second half in defence and created many chances in attack,” the coach said after the match at Hazza bin Zayed Stadium.

Oiwa said on Wednesday Kashima will play their own style of football and possess enough firepower to tame Real Madrid.

“We made a great impact with 2016 final. We really wanted to win then. But we lost and it was disappointing. But this time we have an opportunity to end that disappointment. This match is going to get much attention. We will show our own style of football against Real Madrid. We have few players who had played the 2016 final. We will use their experience to inspire youngsters in the side.”

Recently, Real lost 0-3 to CSKA Moscow in the Champions League – the biggest home defeat the Spanish team have suffered in European competition. This may be an apt time for Kashima to stun Real but the coach thinks otherwise.

“See, Madrid is Madrid. We will have to be solid and aggressive in our play,” Oiwa added.

Kashima will play UEFA Champions League Real Madrid at Zayed Sports City on Wednesday.

This match is going to get much attention. We will show our own style against Real Madrid. We have few players who had played the 2016 final

Go Oiwa