Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Seoul: Coach Choi Yong-soo has backed former finalists FC Seoul to get their AFC Champions League campaign back on track at home to Japan’s Kashima Antlers in Group H on Wednesday.
The K-League Classic side lost last week’s tournament opener 1-0 to China’s Guangzhou Evergrande (pictured) in a re-match of the 2013 final.
And while FC Seoul do not begin their new domestic season until Sunday, Choi is eyeing a first win of the campaign at Seoul World Cup Stadium against a Kashima side who also lost last week to defending champions Western Sydney Wanderers.
“In the last game in the ACL group stage, we had a very difficult away game and the result was not good. We only think about the whole season, not just one game, and it’s important for us to keep our style of football. The players also know what they did wrong in the last match, so I’m expecting a better performance,” said Choi.
“I think both teams are desperate for a victory, so it should be a very exciting game. We have prepared well to get the three points that we need.”
FC Seoul, who also reached the semi-finals last year before losing to Australia’s Western Sydney, secured their place in this year’s group stage after beating Vietnam’s Hanoi T&T 7-0 in the play-offs at home last month.
“It’s true our group is the most difficult one, but my biggest concern is last season we didn’t perform how we wanted, we didn’t show 100%,” added Choi.
“Even though we’ve lost many players, I want the players to feel part of the team by getting to the next round. I think it’s important for us to concentrate on one game at a time, rather than setting out an objective like winning the trophy.
“At the end of the day I want us to be satisfied by our performances. I think many people think we are not one of the candidates to win the tournament, but that is normal, and that kind of thing will pull our team together.”
Kashima also do not begin their new domestic campaign until the weekend having lost last week’s Group H opener 3-1 at home to Western Sydney after conceding two late goals at Kashima Soccer Stadium.
“I think both teams are going to start strongly. In the last game Kashima conceded two goals in the last five minutes against Western Sydney, but I think we have to win the game tomorrow,” said Kashima coach Toninho Cerezo.
“FC Seoul have many good players and all of them are energetic. When it comes to their midfield, there are many good players, and the balance of their offence and defence is also very good.”
Photo: WSG