Harry Kewell has made the perfect start to the biggest job yet of his managerial career, overseeing Yokohama F. Marinos' drive into the quarter-finals of the Asian Champions League.
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The former Socceroos ace, who's seeking to continue the great Australian tradition that's been established at the Japanese club by Kevin Muscat and Ange Postecoglou, hailed their last-16 win over Bangkok United on Wednesday as "something special'.
But it was a nervy night for the 45-year-old, overseeing his first home game with Yokohama, as they only eked out their 1-0 win in the dying seconds of extra-time to progress 3-2 on aggregate.
"I knew the task when I took over. It was difficult but it makes it worth it when you do create something special for the club by progressing into the final eight," said Kewell, who's looking for a successful spell in Japan to exorcise the memories of previous managerial disappointments in English soccer.
It took a penalty from his star Brazilian, Anderson Lopes, in added time at the end of the extra 30 minutes, to finally seal the deal after Yokohama had twice earlier hit the woodwork.
It set up a quarter-final with Chinese Super League side Shandong Taishan, even if it wasn't quite the performance Kewell had hoped to see.
"I feel that we got frustrated. We played the right way but we just didn't create that final pass what we needed," he said.
"But we got there in the end and I'm proud of my players because they kept on pushing and pushing."
The Japanese league starts on Sunday, with Kewell under pressure to emulate both Muscat and Postecoglou, who both guided Yokohama sides to the national title.
It's also a huge chance for the man who was a brilliant performer in his playing heyday at both Liverpool and Leeds to prove he has what it takes in the manager's seat after a trying time in the lower reaches of the English game at the likes of Oldham, Crawley and Barnet.
Kewell has liked what he's seen so far at Yokohama, explaining: "There are still areas that we need to work on but I can't fault my players with the work ethic that they've shown from day one. They've taken it with a smile on their face."
South Korea's Ulsan Hyundai also made it into the quarters with a 2-1 win over Ventforet Kofu to complete a 5-1 aggregate win, leaving Kewell's outfit the only Japanese side left in the tournament following defending champions Urawa Reds' early exit in December.
Cristiano Ronaldo's Al-Nassr also advanced to the quarter-finals after the Riyadh-based side beat fellow Saudi Pro League outfit Al-Fayha 2-0 to complete a 3-0 aggregate victory.
Portugal winger Otavio scored in the 17th minute to build on last week's 1-0 win, before Ronaldo added a late second.
Al-Nassr will next face Al-Ain after Hernan Crespo's side saw off Uzbekistan's Nasaf through Soufiane Rahimi's injury-time winner.
Australian Associated Press
