Sunday's 3-1 defeat to Urawa Red Diamonds was Marinos' sixth loss in 12 matches, leaving them on eight points - 13 behind leaders J1 League leaders Kyoto Sanga despite the season having not even reached the halfway stage.

The poor start led to English coach Steve Holland departing with Patrick Kisnobro taking over as Marinos desperately try to salvage their season.

Kisnobro's first match in charge ended in defeat to Urawa and getting Marinos back to winning ways will be the Australian's biggest challenge.

They only have registered one victory in the J1 League and Kisnobro has to work against time to rectify issues, with Saudi Arabia's Al Nassr Club their opponents in the AFC Champions League Elite quarter-finals on Saturday.

The Japanese side's struggles have come as a shock as they were relentless in the League Stage after their opening day defeat to Gwangju FC, with Marinos topping the standings on 18 points.

Their place in the quarter-finals was also easily secured, with Marinos defeating China PR's Shanghai Port FC 5-1 on aggregate and that is the form they have to rediscover if they are to progress past an Al Nassr side also seeking a first ever AFC Champions League Elite title.