'Nelsinho magic' spells success for Kashiwa FC

Kashiwa Reysol coach Nelsinho Baptista is ready to unleash his famous "Nelsinho magic" at the Club World Cup after conjuring a fairytale run from Japan's second division to the J-League title in one year. The Brazilian is being hailed as a miracle-worker for taking Kashiwa to the J2 title last year, and then winning a thrilling three-way race to the J-League trophy on the final day of the season Saturday. The back-to-back titles are unprecedented in Japanese football, and ensure Kashiwa's confidence will be sky-high when they open the Club World Cup against Auckland City on Thursday -- just five days after wrapping up the J-League. And Nelsinho said Kashiwa would not change the attack-minded play that won them the Japanese title, along with a spot in the intercontinental Club World Cup as champions of the host country. "We shall not change the way in which we have produced results," he said before Thursday's game against Oceania champions Auckland. "I've told the players we will win if we play by our standards." Nelsinho joined Kashiwa in the middle of 2009 when they were on the way to being relegated from the first division for the second time. But the 61-year-old Brazilian tactician immediately plotted their return to the top flight as they dominated last year's second division. His audacious substitutions and ever-changing line-up -- including 27 different combinations in 34 J-League games this year -- have been dubbed "Nelsinho magic" by an admiring Japanese press. "I choose players depending on what is required for each game," said Nelsino, who has had spells with Corinthians and Nagoya Grampus during his coaching career. "The players performed well after they were sent in. I expect much from all players on the first team and the bench while they all try and work hard to produce results," he added. "Our team are not made of just 11 regulars." Kashiwa were title contenders from the start of this season and they rounded off their charge by going their last seven games unbeaten, pipping Nagoya and Gamba Osaka on the final day. Counter-attacking Kashiwa also became known for their never-say-die spirit as they scored 20 goals between 60 and 75 minutes and came from behind to win no fewer than seven times. "We have played as one group throughout the year to win the title," said midfielder Leandro Domingues, 28, who top-scored for his team with 15 goals. Defender Wataru Hashimoto, who scored his first career goal in Saturday's title-sealing 3-1 win over Urawa Reds, said it was team spirit that defined Kashiwa. "We can play well no matter who is on the pitch. We also move in the same direction. I think our team spirit has prevailed," he said. Coach Nelsinho is also no newcomer to the international stage as he took Brazil's Cruzeiro to the 1997 Intercontinental Cup, a one-game precursor to the Club World Cup, where they lost 2-0 to German side Borussia Dortmund. Victory over Auckland's part-timers in Toyota on Thursday would take Kashiwa to a quarter-final against Mexico's Monterrey, with the prospect of a semi with Brazilian giants Santos. "I played them over and over while I was in Brazil," Kashiwa's Brazilian midfielder Jorge Wagner, 33, who arrived this season from Sao Paulo, said of Santos. "But we want to get ready for Auckland first."