The inaugural A-League champions must beat the defending J-League champions at the Saitama Stadium to advance to the knockout stage in a thrilling climax to Group E.

The J-League outfit currently hold a one-point lead over Culina's side after Sydney were held to a disappointing goalless draw by Shanghai Shenhua at the Aussie Stadium in the last round of fixtures, while Urawa shared a thrilling 3-3 draw with Persik Kediri.

"Trying to beat Urawa Reds in Japan is the biggest challenge that Sydney FC has encountered in its short history," Culina told the club's official website. "For Sydney FC to qualify for the last eight of the AFC Champions League in its first season would be an enormous achievement.

"We are far more comfortable when we are allowed to express ourselves and play our attacking football.

"I think the pressure will be on Urawa Reds who, like us, like to attack. All of a sudden they will be required to sit back and hold on to a result. That may not suit them."

Sydney fly out to Japan on Friday to give them the maximum time to prepare for next week's game.