Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Jeonju: Al Ain midfielder Danilo Asprilla is convinced that the inaugural AFC Champions League winners will be able to come out on top in the second leg of the 2016 final, after the Colombian scored a priceless away goal for the Emirati club in the 2-1 first leg defeat to Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors on Saturday night.
After a goalless first half at Jeonju World Cup Stadium in the Korea Republic, the 27-year-old winger crashed home a half-volley just after the hour mark to put the visitors ahead, only to see the lead wiped out by a brace from Jeonbuk's own South American wide-man, Leonardo.
Nevertheless, the Medellin native, who joined Al Ain at the beginning of the year, insists that a return to home turf at the Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium on November 26 in the crucial final tie will see Zlatko Dalic's side come out on top and Asian champions for a second time.
"The truth is we’re not happy about the result but an away goal does help us a lot and is very important," said Asprilla, whose opening goal in Jeonju was his fourth of the campaign.
"It was a difficult game, I thought we played well, but unfortunately things didn't go our way.
"Once the game had kicked off, I saw that both sides were pretty even and well matched. Jeonbuk did nothing overly impressive, resorting on long balls a lot. We did everything we needed to and performed very well on the pitch, we were just unlucky to concede the two goals."
DALIC: AL AIN DID NOT DESERVE TO LOSE
Ahead of Saturday’s clash, Al Ain had not lost in the AFC Champions League since Matchday Two in early March and although Jeonbuk have a formidable home record, the Korean club’s away form is patchier with just a single victory on the road in their 2016 campaign.
"We've seen that away from home they haven't had good results, and it was difficult to play our game today," added Asprilla.
"But on our own pitch, at home, we can play our game – our beautiful football – and we have confidence we can get the result we want.
"I believe in myself and my teammates that we can get the win at home and can lift the AFC Champions League title."
Photo: Lagardère Sports