New Tochigi SC manager Yasuharu Kurata is seeking survival for the club, after being unveiled on Tuesday following the dismissal of ex-boss Yuji Sakakura.

The 52-year-old former defender most recently coached China’s Dalian Aerbin and previously led fellow MEIJI YASUDA J2 League outfit FC Gifu.

“Right now our realistic goal is to stay in J2,” Kurata told reporters at the press conference called to announce his new role.

“In order to accomplish that we have to fight with our spirit, one match at a time.”

Tochigi sit 18th in the Japanese second tier after playing 25 rounds.