In a week’s time, Vissel Kobe will return to continental action and resume their bid to win the AFC Champions League. First up is a Round of 16 tie against compatriots Yokohama F. Marinos on Aug. 18 and, with the subsequent two knockout-round stages in the East Zone to be completed by the following seven days, it will not be long before they know if they are headed for next February’s final.

Vying for continental glory is exactly the position Vissel are expected to be for all the star power they boast, headlined by Spanish legend Andres Iniesta and fellow ex-Barcelona men Bojan Krkic and Sergi Samper, as well as a whole host of Japan internationals who all boast European experience such as Yuya Osako, Yoshinori Muto, Hotaru Yamaguchi and Gotoku Sakai. What is less expected — and in fact, a huge shock — is that, with ten games remaining in their domestic J1 League season, Vissel find themselves rock bottom of the table.

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