Korean teams have had the better of their Japanese counterparts in Asian club competitions in recent years.

No Japanese club has managed to win a continental title since Shimizu S-Pulse lifted the Asian Cup Winners' Cup in 2000 and prior to this year, none of them had even progressed to the knockout phase of the ACL.

The likes of Jubilo Iwata, Yokohama F. Marinos, Tokyo Verdy and Gamba Osaka haved failed at the group stage to teams from the Land of the Morning Calm in the past three seasons.

However, Kawasaki Frontale reversed that trend with back-to-back wins against Korean FA Cup holders Chunnam Dragons during this year's group stage and Yamaji believes that his side can do the same when they take on Jeonbuk in the quarter-finals in September.

"In the past, J.League clubs have not done well against Korean club teams, but it's changing," Yamaji said.

"In fact, we defeated a Korean club team (Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma in the A3 Championship) two days ago so I don't think we have any problems."

Speaking after the draw for the knockout stage in Kuala Lumpur, Yamaji was more delighted by the fact that his side had managed to avoid a long journey to the Middle East for the quarter-finals.

"Playing against a Korean team it is easy for us to travel, so as far as that is concerned we are happy," he said.

"Jeonbuk are the defending champions so we have seen them a lot and we can do a lot of research on them."

Having clinched the J.League and Emperor's Cup double last season, Urawa have made no secret of their ambition in this year's ACL, a point reiterated Yamaji.

He said: "This year's goal for our team is to be J.League champions and AFC Champions League champions and to reach this goal we have to prepare well.

"This is our goal. There is no priority and we will try to win both.

"We have had a lot of support from the J.League and JFA so we have some pressure (to do well), but to reach our goals we have to battle through the pressure and go forward."