Kawasaki had not reached the AFC Champions League quarter-finals since 2009, but were unbeaten on their march to the last eight in 2017 before ultimately being ousted by domestic rivals and eventual champions Urawa Red Diamonds.
This year, drawn in Group F alongside Ulsan Hyundai, Melbourne Victory and a star-studded Shanghai SIPG, who they meet on Matchday One on Tuesday, Kobayashi believes the side – crowned J.League champions for the first time at the end of 2017 – are well prepared for another shot at the continent’s biggest prize.
“Last year we were eliminated in the quarter-finals but we’re back in the ACL again and, in order to win the title, I think each match is important,” said Kobayashi, who netted six goals on the continent in 2017.
“The opening match is particularly important if we want to qualify for the knockout stage, so we have to prepare well. Shanghai have Oscar and Hulk, who are experienced, high-quality players who play with aggression.”
Kawasaki’s run to the quarter-finals was one of the stories of last year’s campaign, with the side drawing their first four games before defeating Suwon Samsung Bluewings and Hong Kong debutants Eastern SC to progress to the last 16.
Kobayashi then scored in each leg as his side eased past Thailand’s Muangthong United, before netting a brace in a 3-1 quarter-final first-leg win over compatriots Urawa to stretch their unbeaten run to nine and winning streak to five in a row.
Muangthong United vs Kawasaki Frontale (AFC Champions League 2017: Round of 16 - 1st Leg)
A stunning comeback in the return fixture, though, saw Urawa claim a 4-1 victory following three goals in the final 20 minutes to win 5-4 on aggregate as Kawasaki were ousted in the most dramatic of fashion.
“We were deeply disappointed with the loss to Urawa; however, we supported them [after the quarter-final] as they were representing Japan,” admitted Kobayashi.
“We were delighted that a Japanese team won the competition and, for the 2018 season, we have the confidence needed to challenge for the title. We are not really thinking about any other team, only about being the ACL champions.”
After hosting Shanghai, Kawasaki will make the short journey to Korea Republic to take on Ulsan before facing a double-header against Melbourne.
The core of the league title-winning side from 2017 remains, while a number of new signings have arrived to bolster the forward line, including former Yokohama F. Marinos captain Manabu Saito and the returning veteran Yoshito Okubo following a year at FC Tokyo.
Kawasaki will now embark on their sixth AFC Champions League campaign at a time when expectation has never been higher on the back of Urawa’s success in 2017 and their own historic J.League crown.
"I think our new players have a lot of quality and a strong mindset, so I'm looking forward to seeing their great performances," added Kawasaki's head coach Toru Oniki.
"It was very disappointing to lose in the quarter-finals last year, but we have improved and will show the fans we are a better team.
"We are focused on building the new team ahead of the 2018 season and we are very hopeful that we can win the ACL title."
