“We have Shanghai away and I’m sure it will be a very difficult game,” said Sakai. “We lost last year (in the Round of 16) and have a lot of regret about that, so we want to make sure we win this first game away from home in the group stage.

 

“It’s the AFC Champions League Elite, so we know the difficulty, but it would be great if we can win the first game and build some momentum.”

Kobe impressed during the league phase last season and handed reigning Chinese Super League champions Shanghai Port a 4-0 defeat in Japan in their meeting during the opening round of the competition.

 

But Sakai and company exited the competition in the Round of 16 at the hands of Gwangju FC when they threw away a 2-0 lead from the first leg to lose 3-2 on aggregate to the K League 1 outfit to miss out on a place in the Finals phase in Saudi Arabia.

“It was incredibly disappointing,” Sakai said of last season’s elimination. “Our club is aiming to become the No.1 in Asia, and in order to do that we have to target success in the AFC Champions League Elite.

“We’ve got that momentum and aspiration behind us and I think initially the first game is very important if we want to go on and deliver on that aim.”

Kobe have been the dominant force in Japan in recent seasons but their continental ambitions face the challenge of overcoming a stellar cast from across the region and, in particular, the clubs from the Saudi Pro League who excelled in last year’s event.

 

Al Ahli Saudi FC lifted the trophy in May by defeating Kobe’s J1 League rivals Kawasaki Frontale in the final in Jeddah while two other Saudi sides, Al Hilal SFC and Al Nassr Club, reached the last four in a sign of the current strength of clubs from their country.

 

Sakai, however, is relishing the challenge of taking on the best teams from around the continent and stresses that Kobe need to rise to every challenge if they are to claim the Asian title they crave.

“The likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and lots of world famous players are now in Saudi Arabia which means the level there is obviously increasing, but they have weaknesses too and I think Japanese team still excel in terms of organisational aspects,” he said.

“The likes of Urawa Red Diamonds and Kashima Antlers have won the competition and proved the strength of Japanese football.

“The fact that the level of the Saudi Arabian teams’ players is improving makes them great opposition for Japanese teams to play against and that is a good thing.

“Of course there are many ways they can also be difficult opponents, and for us to win in the AFC Champions League Elite it’s important we move up a level as a team too. If we don’t beat them then we can’t become champions, but I want to enjoy playing against that kind of opponent.”