Vissel Kobe aims to return to ACL next season with strong finish to J.League

Japan's Vissel Kobe look to return to the AFC Champions League (ACL) next season and will look to finish the J.League season strongly. The Japanese side made global headlines in May 2018 after signing Spain's World Cup winner Andres Iniesta. Since then, the club has gone on to land its first silverware in 2020 by winning the Emperor's Cup.

That also meant qualification for the AFC Champions League for the first time in their history, where they reached the semifinal, losing to eventual winners Ulsan Hyundai of South Korea. Domestic league form, however, has been a far tougher challenge. Their highest finish was in 2016, where they finished seventh. Vissel Kobe is currently fourth on 44 points after 24 matches, with Kawasaki Frontale at the top on 63 points after 25 matches.

Former Barcelona striker Bojan Krkic is expected to join the team

Former Barcelona striker Bojan Krkic is expected to join the team in early September as Vissel Kobe look to mount a strong finish to the season with 15 more matches to go. The top two teams in the J.League qualify automatically for the AFC Champions League with the third team going into the playoffs.

The Emperor's Cup champions would also qualify for the ACL automatically but VIssel were knocked out by Nagoya Grampus in the fourth round last week.

Vissel's manager Atsuhiro Miura said, "We participated in ACL (AFC Champions League) last year and our prime goal for this year is to be there once again.  Last year, we finished in the top four, so our goal is to become Asia's No. 1 team. In order to do so, we need to qualify for the ACL at all costs this season. First of all, they have been great role models for the whole team, not only in terms of their play, but also in terms of their personality such as their attitude towards football, humbleness, dedication, and so on."

He added, "We are making good progress toward our goals. I have a feeling that we're about halfway down the road.  Now, many players say they want to come and play (for Vissel Kobe).  Of course, there have been more such players since Andres (Iniesta) joined the team. Including his contribution as Vissel's name recognition has increased, the passion and motivation of the players have definitely changed and been evolving."