Al Ittihad coach Gabriel Calderon is out to continue his perfect record at Tokyo's National Stadium where he won the 1979 FIFA U-20 World Cup with Argentina.

Calderon will lead his team into Saturday's eagerly anticipated AFC Champions League final against Pohang Steelers.

The former midfielder has returned to Tokyo for the first time in 30 years since teaming up with the likes of Diego Maradona to win the FIFA event at the legendary National Stadium, where Argentina played their quarter-final, semi-final and final.

"I remember the FIFA U-20 World Cup very well and winning it was a great achievement. It was great playing with Maradona, who was the best player, the number one," said Calderon, who also played with Maradona in the 1982 and 1990 World Cups, losing in the final of Italia 90.

"It was 30 years ago and this is my first time in Tokyo since then, so I would like to repeat that success in the AFC Champions League final. So far, I have a 100 per cent record at the National Stadium," he added.

Maradona and the then 19-year-old Calderon scored the first two goals in the 5-0 quarter-final win over Algeria before Argentina beat Uruguay 2-0 in the semis and the USSR 3-1 in the final, Maradona going on to win the Golden Ball as best player.

Calderon, who also scored twice in the 4-1 group-stage win over Poland in Omiya, is now quietly confident about leading his Saudi Arabian champions to a record third win in the AFC Champions League following victories in 2004 and 2005.

"I have a lot of good players with individual talent, but I'm more excited about the way we're playing as a team," said the 49-year-old, who took over as Tigers coach in June 2008.

"I'm always confident, but I know football and what can happen in one game. In 90 minutes, anything is possible. Even Real Madrid recently lost to a third-division side."

Calderon has great respect for his opponents and believes the final will bring out the best in two attacking sides.

"We're playing a very good team in the final. Pohang like to attack and I like the way they play," said Calderon, who played for the likes of Racing Club and Independiente in Argentina, Real Betis in Spain and Paris St Germain in France.

"Pohang are dangerous as they play 4-3-3 with three strikers and they press high up the field. We will have to play at a high level in the final, but I'm confident."

Ittihad have become acclimatised to Tokyo's cool weather after being in Japan for the past two weeks since arriving for their semi-final second leg with Nagoya Grampus, and the players even enjoyed a trip to Disneyland on Wednesday.

"It has been good being here for two weeks, as the preparation and the organisation has been excellent,' Calderon said. "It was a good idea and much better than flying back and forth to Saudi Arabia."

Calderon believes Ittihad have the edge over Pohang in experience, as many of today's starting line-up helped the Tigers win the AFC Champions League in 2004 and 2005 and also shine in the 2005 FIFA Club World Cup in Japan, playing their quarter-final and semi-final in the National Stadium.

Captain Mohammed Noor, midfielders Saud Khariri and Manaf Aboshgair, centre-backs Redha Takar and Hamad Al Montashari, and goalkeeper Mabrouk Zaid remain from the side that beat African champions Al Ahly in the quarters and lost 3-2 to Sao Paolo, who went on to beat Liverpool in the final.

"It's great that we have so many top players that have played in the AFC Champions League final before, as they know what it's all about," he said. "It's very important to have players with experience and the experience of winning."

After stints coaching clubs in France and in Switzerland, Calderon made his name internationally as coach of Saudi Arabia. Appointed in late 2004, he guided the nation through the final qualifying round for the FIFA World Cup in Germany only to be sacked in December 2005 after a disappointing West Asian Games.

Calderon's appointment at Ittihad reunited him with many of his former charges and he believes that his side are now ready to add the Asian title to the Saudi Pro League title they won earlier this year.

"I like Saudi players, as they have a good mentality and like to win," Calderon said. "I'm happy with how my new signings have fitted into the group and the way we're now playing. They know we need to win every time and on Saturday we only have one chance."