Players’ effort pleases Preud’homme

The Belgian’s side had Brazilian Fernando Menegazzo to thank for his 44th minute strike, with the goal giving the Saudi side a narrow advantage ahead of the second leg in Riyadh on September 18.

Wednesday evening’s draw was Al Shabab’s first game since the end of the Saudi league season in May and the former goalkeeper was delighted with the performance of his team.

“I’d like to praise our players because they did a great job in our first official game of the season,” said Preud’homme.

“We didn’t start well, but after we gave away the goal we responded very well and we created lots of chances, probably more than Kashiwa so in that sense we could have won the game.

“Before the game we had friendly matches and some training camps but when it comes to the first game of the season you don’t know if you have the right pace or rhythm but today I think I should congratulate our physical trainer. He did a great job for us because I didn’t see any problems out there.”

Japan international Masato Kudo gave Kashiwa the lead in front of their own fans in the 21st minute before Fernando Menegazzo levelled the scores a minute before halftime. From there, Al Shabab had the better of the chances, with Macnelly Torres hitting the crossbar and Naif Hazazi also going close.

But with neither side able to find the back of the net in the second half, the tie is finely poised ahead of the return fixture.

“We’re halfway through the tie but this is a good result for us,” continued Preud’homme.

“I know that we have lots of things to do ahead of the second leg but I have a very positive feeling that we are becoming a good team.

“I would also like to add that it was a fantastic feeling to play in such of an enthusiastic crowd who were signing right until the end. That was a nice feeling, even though we were the opponents.

“The players did as I instructed. We are naturally an aggressive side. We always go for the win in every game and we showed that today.”