On September 15, Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors captain Kim Tae-hwan stated in an interview before the AFC Champions League Elite league stage that the team is ready to face Japanese club Kashiwa Reysol and hopes to demonstrate an advantage in physical contests.

Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors will host Kashiwa Reysol at Jeonju World Cup Stadium on September 16 in the opening match of the 2026-27 AFC Champions League Elite league stage.

On September 15, Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors head coach Chung Jung-yong and captain Kim Tae-hwan attended the pre-match press conference.

Kim Tae-hwan said: "I was taught from a young age that we cannot lose to Japan, even in the smallest details. The whole team is ready now and we hope to strive for victory in every aspect. We will play a great match tomorrow."

Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors is participating in the AFC Champions League Elite for the first time in three years, and Kim Tae-hwan's extensive experience in continental competitions is considered vital. He stated that he would share the experience accumulated from previous continental campaigns with his teammates.

Kim Tae-hwan said: "I have participated in many such matches and will communicate with my teammates. The AFC Champions League Elite has a different competitive environment from the domestic league, so I always tell my teammates that we cannot afford any disadvantage when facing Japanese teams, even in small matters. The team is now strengthening its collective mentality."

The AFC Champions League Elite league stage is split into East and West zones, with 12 teams in each zone. The top 8 teams from each zone will advance to the Round of 16. Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors qualified as the 2025 K League champions and will face Japanese powerhouse Kashiwa Reysol in their first match.

The two clubs have met 8 times previously in Asian competitions, with Kashiwa Reysol holding the advantage at 5 wins, 1 draw, and 2 losses. However, their last encounter was in 2018, when Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors won 3-2 at home. Currently, both teams are ranked third in their respective domestic leagues.

Kim Tae-hwan also spoke positively about head coach Chung Jung-yong, stating that he has created an excellent environment for the team. Players have full confidence in the coaching staff, the overall team atmosphere is very positive, and the entire squad is looking forward to the match.

Kim Tae-hwan emphasized the importance of quickly adapting to the different competitive environment of the AFC Champions League compared to the K League.

"We must quickly adapt to an environment different from the domestic league. Japanese teams have their strengths, and we need to neutralize what they do well while exploiting their weaknesses. Additionally, the referee's standards and the match atmosphere may differ, so we cannot simply replicate our league approach. During the match, we need to read the referee's tendencies and adapt to the atmosphere. Through effective communication on the pitch, we can manage these differences better."

Kashiwa Reysol has previously identified physical contests as a key strength of Korean teams, so whether Kim Tae-hwan can dominate these battles will be a defining element of the match.

In response, Kim Tae-hwan stated that he engages aggressively in physical duels in every match and is not doing so specifically because the opponent is Japanese.

He said: "I have always competed physically in a tough manner, and it is not because the opponent is a Japanese team. Japanese teams have also significantly improved their physical capabilities, so we need to make sure our teammates understand this, establish our advantage in duels, and show our toughness during the match."

Kim Tae-hwan is fully prepared for this Korea-Japan club clash. With their home advantage, Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors will be aiming for a strong result in their opening AFC Champions League Elite league stage match.

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