Petrovic backs Urawa to roar back to form against Brisbane

Urawa lost their AFC Champions League Group G opener 2-1 to Korea Republic’s Suwon Bluewings despite having taken the lead at the end of the first half at Suwon World Cup Stadium.

The 2014 J.League runners-up then lost Saturday’s season-opening Super Cup 2-0 to domestic treble winners Gamba Osaka, although Wednesday’s meeting with fellow opening day losers Brisbane does represent a first outing at Saitama Stadium 2002 this year for the 2007 AFC Champions League winners.

“Every team is so strong and it’s not easy to win matches,” said Petrovic.

“When it comes to the next match, it will be tough and we will have to fight.

“We have lost our last two matches, but I think these were not that bad.”

Brisbane also lost last week, although the A-League champions were slightly more unlucky as Frans Thijssen’s side conceded a deflected stoppage time free-kick against China’s Beijing Guoan.

“We have lost two matches and the situation is not so good, but we'll do our best to win with confidence,” said Urawa midfielder Yosuke Kashiwagi.

“I don’t know much about Brisbane, but have some impression that they are very organised and strong.”

Brisbane were able to bounce back from their defeat by Beijing and share a 2-2 draw with Perth Glory in the A-League on Saturday, with the loss at the hands of Beijing their only defeat in their last five outings in all competitions.

“Urawa are a very good team and it will be very difficult to win, but we are also strong and have confidence to show a good game,” said Brisbane coach Thijssen.

“At the beginning of the season, we were in very difficult situation but now we are in very good mood after some injured players have returned and new players have joined.”

The loss to Beijing, though, means Brisbane are still searching for a first-ever win in the AFC Champions League having picked up just three points from their six games since their continental debut in 2012.

“Japanese football is a benchmark for Asian football, so we respect Urawa,” said Brisbane’s German midfielder Thomas Broich.

“But Australia is also the champion of Asia and we have confidence to fight against them.”

Photo: WSG