Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Beijing: In-form Group G pacesetters Beijing Guoan are boosted by the return to fitness of captain Xu Yunlong and midfielder Ha Dae-sung as the Chinese Super League side look to maintain their 100% record in the AFC Champions League at home to Japan’s Urawa Red Diamonds on Tuesday.
Defender Xu (pictured, in green shirt) missed Beijing’s 1-0 win over Korea Republic’s Suwon Samsung two weeks ago having featured in their opening win in Australia over Brisbane Roar, while Korean midfielder Ha has yet to feature for last season’s Super League runners-up in the group stage of the AFC Champions League this season.
Beijing, with Xu and Ha in the side, also beat Thailand’s Bangkok Glass in the AFC Champions League play-offs last month and Gregorio Manzano’s side have won all six of their competitive outings this season after recording a 1-0 win over Henan Jianye on Friday.
“It will be our third ACL game. Although Urawa hasn't gained any points, it doesn't mean we can easily beat them. They will cause us problems for sure, but we are prepared,” said coach Manzano, who oversaw Beijing’s group stage exit in the AFC Champions League last season.
“I believe given the support at home, we will have a good match and a nice win to keep our lead going in the group. Playing both domestically in the Super League and internationally in the ACL is a challenge, but for a strong football team, injuries and team status is always something we have to cope with.
“Now Xu Yunlong and Ha Dae-sung are both recovered and fit to play. We tried to have our players keep their shape through training. We are all about team work and this is why we can win.
“We will build solid defence, and try to push the game with hard work. If we do so, we can have a good result at home.”
Former AFC Champions League winners Urawa have lost both of their continental outings this season, but Mihailo Petrovic’s side have made the trip to China following back-to-back wins in the J.League having beaten both Shonan Bellmare and Montedio Yamagata since losing 1-0 at home to Brisbane two weeks ago.
“It will be a difficult game for us because Beijing so far won all their games in the ACL and we couldn't win one. But I still have faith in my team because we've been adjusting ourselves all the time,” said Urawa coach Petrovic.
“It doesn't mean that Japanese football is going down just because we are not doing great, it is because Asian football's quality is improving as a whole.
“Beijing being ranked second in the Super League last season means that they are a strong team.”
Photo: AFP