Jeonbuk, Japan’s Urawa Reds clash in ACL semifinals on the 25th
To Japan’s ‘ceremonial banji’, “I hope tomorrow will also show a good ceremony with many goals”
Professional soccer Jeonbuk Hyundai coach Kim Sang-sik announced his determination to rise to the top of East Asian football by betting on the pride of the K-League.
At a press conference held in Japan on the 24th, one day before the 2022 Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Champions League (ACL) semi-final, coach Kim Sang-sik said, “As we have reached the semifinals, we will play with the thought that tomorrow’s match will be the final, showing pride in the Korean K-League. I will bet and prepare to defeat Urawa Reds (Japan) tomorrow.”
Jeonbuk will play in the ACL semi-final with Urawa at 7:30 pm on the 25th at Saitama Stadium 2002 in Japan.
Jeonbuk, the 2016 ACL champion team, will challenge to regain the top spot for the first time in six years.
Urawa, who will meet in the quarterfinals, scored 9 goals throughout the ACL round of 16 and quarterfinals, and boasted of great firepower without conceding.
Coach Kim said, “Urawa is a traditional J-League powerhouse.
They show good offense and defense with good players.” He said, “I met Vissel Kobe in the quarterfinals, but I think he was relatively weaker than Urawa.
It is being analyzed to prevent the advantage of Urawa.
If we neutralize the opponent’s strength and make use of the play we want to play, we will be able to show a good game.”
However, there is concern that the players were physically exhausted from the long fight that went to overtime in the round of 16 match once morest Daegu FC on the 18th (Jeonbuk 2-1 win) and the quarterfinal match once morest Vissel Kobe of Japan on the 22nd (Jeonbuk 3-1 win) on the 22nd. a lovely part
Regarding this, coach Kim said, “After playing for 120 minutes in two matches, the players were very tired and there were injuries.
He said, “In soccer, ‘1+1’ doesn’t become ‘2’.
It is true that it is physically difficult, but I think the players will be able to produce good results because they have a strong will.
I believe in the players and will play with the belief that we want to win.”
As the match is played at Urawa’s home, Jeonbuk must overcome the booing and obstruction of the opposing fans.
In the previous match once morest Vissel Kobe, Moon Seon-min performed a control tower ceremony and Gustavo performed a heart ceremony, and some Japanese media later criticized it as a racist gesture.
Manager Kim Sang-sik said, “Gustavo and Moon Seon-min’s ceremony is a natural thing in the K-League.
I think the Japanese media didn’t take it very sensitively.”
“Our players are not shaken by such reports.
I hope that our players will score a lot of goals in tomorrow’s game as well and show off a good ceremony.”
Hong Jung-ho, who attended the press conference together, said, “As a soccer player, such an opportunity is rare.
We all know our players.
I will make sure to win and return to Saitama with a good match.”
“I am always ready to play,” he said.
I will do my best to help the team whether I play or not.
If the opportunity comes, I will do everything I can to help the team.”
/yunhap news
