Ogasawara's fellow midfielder Masashi Motoyama is also out of action for three months following surgery for a slipped disc, although coach Oswaldo Oliveira has boosted his ranks with the signings of Brazilian duo Gilton and Fellype Gabriel and Lee Jung-soo from Kyoto Sanga.

The Antlers secured an historic third successive J.League title last season but have been unable to transfer their domestic dominance onto the continental stage, with a 2008 quarter-final appearance their best performance to date.

"We can always learn from losing, and we have added experience and maturity as individuals and a unit," said Oliveira.

"That is something you can use when you have to overcome a difficulty, and I am hoping that we can do that this year."

Changchun Yatai are hoping to emulate the performance of the China national team, who recorded a surprise victory in the recent East Asian Championship.

"China played well against Korea and Japan. They could do that because they erased the strength of their opponents, and that is something I am hoping we can do," said coach Shen Xiangfu.

"We should play as we usually do and I hope we can show the quality of Chinese football through this tournament."

In Jakarta, Jeonbuk Motors coach Choi Kang-hee is set to hand a number of his younger players the chance to taste continental football when the K-League champions tackle Persipura.

Choi has only brought five first-team players to Indonesia while former Middlesbrough striker Lee Dong-gook has been left at home.

"We have only brought our reserves because we have to focus on the K-League", said Choi.

"We're facing a tight schedule in the K-League. Yes, we brought young players, but they have quality as well. They have good techniques and physical strength. We are not underestimating Persipura at all."

Persipura coach Jacksen Tiago is well aware his side are the underdogs for the match but stressed his side will give their all regardless.

"We're talking about a great Korean team. It doesn't take rocket science to know that Korean teams are better than Indonesians," he said. "They are the Korean champions, and have even won the Asian Champions League."