Abu Dhabi: Urawa Red Diamonds captain Yuki Abe says his side’s second Fifa Club World Cup appearance this week could be even more exciting than their first.

The Japanese outfit finished third in 2007 and although the 36-year-old midfielder — who also featured in that tournament with Urawa — says past form means nothing, he is hopeful of going further.

“Ten years ago we were third yes, but that was a decade ago and that’s a long time,” said the former Leicester City man, whose side face Al Jazira in Saturday’s quarter-final at Zayed Sports City from 8.30pm.

“That tournament was in Japan and now we are away from Japan so the difference in environment is definitely there.

“Now we have a fresh chance to revise our position this time. We have a good chance and are very sincerely prepared, so we only want to look forward and give it our best. In various ways this tournament may be more exciting than last time.

“The good part about our team is that we are very sincerely fighting and only getting better. We fought at our best to win the Asian Champions League, but still have the possibility of improving for this particular tournament.”

Fellow Japanese side Kashima Antlers pushed Real Madrid to extra-time in last year’s tournament in Japan before losing 4-2, but Abe said there could be no parallels in expectation.

“We are Urawa and they are Kashima,” he said. “I don’t pay much heed to how we both perform and the differences. We represent Japan, so that’s the main point, and I’m going to look at it that way and put all our efforts into tomorrow’s match.”

Urawa got this far by winning the Asian Champions League against Saudi Arabia’s Al Hilal, but although beating Arab opposition and being familiar with the likes of Al Jazira through their exploits on the continent, coach Takafumi Hori said it still wouldn’t be easy.

“It’s difficult to say that facing an Arab or Asian team first up makes it easier for us to beat them.

“We know they are a strong and physical team from seeing them in the Asian Champions League, and understand we are taking them on at home, so it’s a tough situation but we will do our best.”

Whoever wins this quarter-final plays Real Madrid in Wednesday’s semi-final, but Hori wasn’t looking too far in front.

“First we look at tomorrow’s game, it all depends on that because it’s a knockout, so until then we can’t comment on further possibilities.

“We are going to take tomorrow’s game as our main opportunity. We are away from home so need to be prepared and show that we represent Japan.”