Reigning J. League champions Sanfrecce Hiroshima started preseason training on Thursday, with manager Hajime Moriyasu warning there are no guarantees his team will replicate its success from last season.

Sanfrecce deservedly won their third J. League championship title in four seasons and also finished third at the prestigious Club World Cup in Japan last month.

In addition to attempting to defend their league crown, Moriyasu's men are back in the Asian Champions League for the first time in two seasons.