SAITAMA — Urawa Reds stand just a few games from greatness, but Holger Osieck isn't falling into the trap of speculating on the enviable position in which the Saitama giants find themselves.

News photoUrawa Reds striker Washington (below) reacts after scoring his second goal of the day during last Saturday's J. League match against JEF United Chiba at Fukuda Denshi Arena. KYODO PHOTO

Former Liverpool manager Gerard Houllier once boasted that his men were "10 games from greatness." Those words, uttered on the eve of their 2002 UEFA Champions League quarterfinal against Bayer Leverkusen, came back to haunt the Frenchman.