Yoshifumi Kashiwa is delighted that Sanfrecce Hiroshima have been able to make an impact on the world stage, following their 2-0 win against Auckland City in the FIFA Club World Cup.

Hajime Moriyasu’s men saw off their Australian opponents to progress to the quarter-finals of the competition in Japan, where they will face TP Mazembe on Sunday.

And Kashiwa is eager for his team-mates to prove themselves against different opponents and styles, and has called for them to strive for constant improvement in hopes of progressing.

 “It’s good to start a global tournament with a win,” the 28-year-old said after the match. 

“It was a difficult atmosphere and we were still able to get a result, which will help us ahead of the next match. This year we’ve been very good at scoring the second goal and keeping clean sheets.

“[The opponents] are going to become stronger, and we’re ready to see different styles of football than we saw today. [The other teams] will have very high potential and physique, so we have to improve our decision-making.”

Yusuke Minagawa had been used sparingly in Sanfrecce victorious MEIJI YASUDA J1 League campaign but netted the first goal of Sanfrecce’s Club World Cup campaign.

Speaking to reporters later, the striker was overall pleased with his impact, adding: “In any tournament, there’s only the present. I think I did enough as a striker. 

“I think I met expectations with the first goal, but I was disappointed that I couldn’t turn one of the chances after that into a second. We put our training to good use. 

“I’m happy we have matches to play and I’m not here just to gain experience. If I’m out there playing for Hiroshima I have to do my best.”