Frontale knocked out defending champions Gamba Osaka in the last round and their reward is another clash with a fellow J.League side in the form of Nagoya.

"Why do we have to play against each other at this stage?" Jong said.

"I think the Japanese sides should have been split. It's disappointing as one of us has to go out in this round. I wanted to meet Nagoya in the final."

Nevertheless, the North Korea international was confident over Frontale's chances of making the last four.

"We always play well against Nagoya, so I think we can beat them. None of us will take it easy though," he said.

"This is an international tournament and I know how hard it is to win there (in Nagoya) and how important one goal can be there. We should prepare well to win the games.

"Nagoya are a good side but I wonder if they are good enough to be Asia's number one."

J. League clubs have won the ACL the last two years - Urawa Reds in 2007 and Gamba Osaka last year.

Frontale manager Takashi Sekizuka admitted his first thought when he heard the draw was: "Not another Japanese team!"

He added: "But our objective is to reach the top in Asia. If you progress in the tournament, you are likely to meet a Japanese team at some stage."

"We should remember our objective and work hard as a J. League representative in order to go all the way."

Nagoya boss Dragan Stojkovic was somewhat happier with the draw.

"It's an honour to play a J. League side, Kawasaki, in the quarter-finals," he said.

"We always compete hard against each other in the league so it's going to be a very tough match for sure. Both are attacking sides so I think it will be an exciting game, too."

Nagoya reached the last eight in their first ACL campaign after beating South Korean side Suwon Bluewings in the last 16 to maintain their unbeaten record in the competition.

"Playing in the quarter-finals of the ACL will be a new experience for our players and our club. It's going to be a wonderful challenge for us," Stojkovic added.

"We are going to stick to our playing style and want to reach the summit in Asia with a strong, never-say-die attitude."

With this year's final a one-off encounter for the first time and taking place in Tokyo on November 7, Japanese Football Association President Motoaki Inukai lamented the fact there will now be no dream all-Japanese showpiece.

"I know this is the result of the draw and it cannot be helped but I still wanted to see a final between the J. League teams," he said.

"I hope Nagoya or Kawasaki will reach the final. I'd like to see a J. League club in the FIFA Club World Cup this year, too."