Okada aims for Champions League glory

Former Japan coach Takeshi Okada was setting his objectives high after being appointed coach of Hangzhou Greentown, with winning the AFC Champions League his number one priority. Okada spoke to the Japanese media in Tokyo today, a day after signing a one-year contract with Hangzhou, the club who recently signed former France striker Nicolas Anelka. "Taking their offer as manager, I'd like to guide them to the ACL, winning there to become the Asian champions and play in the Club World Cup," Okada said. "I told this to the Hangzhou players, and many laugh when I say this, but this is not impossible. I also want to set a target high to work with my team. "Since my contract is one year, we cannot play in the ACL soon. So, I want to work hard with them to qualify for the ACL next season." The two-time FIFA World Cup™ coach added: "I felt potential and an ambition for becoming a strong team in them. Their performance is unrefined but they are energetic. The club owner loves football, too. "I also think China is a country which is going to become key in the world. I want to feel that by actually being there myself." Okada, who guided Yokohama F Marinos to back-to-back J.League crowns in 2003 and 2004, said he would fly back to China on 24 December to start preparations for next season.