Kawasaki coach blames errors for Asian Champions League final loss

JEDDAH - Kawasaki Frontale coach Shigetoshi Hasebe was left ruing his sides defensive errors as the Japanese club slipped to a 2-0 loss to Saudi Arabias Al-Ahli in the Asian Champions League Elite final on Saturday.

The expensively-assembled Saudi Pro League side won the title for the first time through first-half efforts from Galeno and Franck Kessie, but it was mistakes in the build-up to both goals that left Hasebe shaking his head.

For us, if we could play as we planned, we could have won, he said. We showed that in the last two games, but tonight it didnt work so we have to do more in the future.

This result is not what we expected. They played well. We conceded two goals and they deserve to be champions.

Al-Ahli could show their strength in the first half and we couldnt show ours. The key was the second goal that we conceded.

Kawasaki put on a disciplined display throughout the opening period at the King Abdullah Sports City Stadium only to gift possession to pacy winger Galeno deep inside their own half in the 35th minute.

It was to prove a costly mistake as the Brazilian fed compatriot Roberto Firmino, and his return pass to Galeno bounced up nicely off the turf to allow the former Porto wideman to bend a perfectly-flighted shot into the top corner.

Seven minutes later Al-Ahli hit their second with Kawasaki left back Sota Miura off the field receiving treatment on a knee injury.

Firmino exploited the space left by the defenders absence to drive into the area and deliver the cross for Kessie to head home.

I dont think they did anything special against us tonight, said Hasebe. We made mistakes when we conceded the goals.

When we conceded the second goal at