Angry Yokohama F. Marinos coach Harry Kewell vowed his side would bounce back from Saturday’s heavy defeat in the AFC Champions League final and use the experience “as fuel” for the future.
The Japanese team had a 2-1 lead after the first leg against Al Ain, but lost the second leg 5-1 in the United Arab Emirates and had goalkeeper William Popp sent off just before half-time.
Kewell succeeded compatriot Kevin Muscat as Yokohama coach at the end of December, and said his team would learn from the 6-3 aggregate defeat in the final of Asia’s premier club competition.