Arab News Japan

Japan’s Yokohama F-Marinos were left dumb-founded after they were handed a thumping 5-1 defeat at the hands of UAE’s Al Ain Club in the second leg of the AFC Champions League at the Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium in Al Ain on Saturday night.

The Japanese side went into the match with a 2-1 lead from the first leg, but were in for a surprise when Al Ain came out all guns blazing to take a 2-0 lead.

To add to their woes goalkeeper William Popp was sent off just before half-time for felling on-rushing Soufiane Rahimi to reduce Yokohama to 10-men.

There was no looking back for Al Ain after that as they took full control of the match in the second half to win the final comprehensively.

However, Yokohama F-Marinos coach Harry Kewell vowed his side would bounce back.

“We as a club, we will lick our wounds,” said Kewell. “We’ll come back stronger. Especially the next time around.”

Kewell succeeded fellow Australian Kevin Muscat as Yokohama coach in late December and he said his team would learn from the 6-3 aggregate defeat in the final of Asia’s premier club competition.

“You use this as fuel, and you make sure it never happens again,” said the 45-year-old former Leeds and Liverpool forward, who cut a disgruntled figure at his post-match press conference.

“Now we’re in the competition again next time. And again, we’ll go that one step further. We’re determined,” he added.

Yokohama are in the bottom half of the table in the domestic J. League with four victories from 13 league games.