Cleo focused on Kashiwa success
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E-mail China.org.cn, September 24, 2013
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Cleo has scored two goals in nine appearances for Kashiwa Reysol in the AFC Champions League this season. |
Brazilian striker Cleo is eyeing continued success with Japan's Kashiwa Reysol ahead of Wednesday's AFC Champions League semi-final first leg against former club Guangzhou Evergrande.
Emperor's Cup winners Kashiwa became the first J.League side since Nagoya Grampus in 2009 to reach the semi-finals after a 2-2 draw in Riyadh last week saw Nelsinho Baptista's side edge out Saudi Arabia's Al Shabab on away goals after the tie finished 3-3 on aggregate.
And with Guangzhou comprehensively beating Qatar's Lekhwiya 6-1 on aggregate, Cleo is set to face the Marcello Lippi-led side in the first leg at Hitachi Kashiwa Stadium.
"The high point so far was the quarter-final because we fought hard against Al Shabab in Saudi Arabia," said the 28-year-old.
"Coming through that game means we're the first Japanese club since 2009 to reach the semi-final.
"We've giving everything to achieve these excellent results."
Kashiwa, who are looking to follow in the footsteps of 2007 winners Urawa Reds and 2008 champions Gamba Osaka, have reached the semi-finals in only their second appearance in the AFC Champions League.
"I think we've had good results this year because the experience of playing in this competition last year has helped a lot," added Cleo, who joined Kashiwa on a 12-month loan deal at the start of the season.
"For example, this time we arrived in Saudi Arabia four days before the game to allow us to get used to the time difference and the climate.
"Everything the club does is geared towards these games."
Guangzhou also made the semi-finals for the first time after crushing Lekhwiya 4-1 in Doha last week. Having become the first Chinese side to reach the last four since Shenzhen Jianlibao in 2005, Lippi's side will host the second leg in Guangzhou next week.
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