Asian Champions League Elite final: clubs don’t play with wallets, Kawasaki boss says
Japanese side playing in first final face wealthy Saudi team Al-Ahli, whose star player reportedly earns three times their total wage bill
Kawasaki Frontale coach Shigetoshi Hasebe has dismissed the yawning financial chasm between his J-League club and big-spending Saudi Pro League outfit Al-Ahli as the teams prepare to meet in Saturday’s Asian Champions League Elite final.
His side face an Al-Ahli squad worth an estimated US$200 million and boasting Uefa Champions League winners Riyad Mahrez and Roberto Firmino, but Hasebe said the huge transfer fees and salaries paid by Saudi clubs would mean little at kick-off.
“The budget is a very important factor, but the players are not playing with their wallets or their credit cards,” Hasebe told reporters.
“The players play football on the pitch. Of course, money and the budget will affect things somehow, but football is played on the pitch.”