Tue, 30 Nov, -0001
Sydney: Coach Choi Yong-soo is confident FC Seoul can overcome Western Sydney Wanderers in Wednesday's AFC Champions League semi-final second leg at Parramatta Stadium to secure a second consecutive final appearance despite the K League Classic side's modest recent goal scoring record.
Goals have been at a premium for 2013 runners-up FC Seoul in the knockout stages of the AFC Champions League this season with the goalless draw with Western Sydney in the semi-final first leg two weeks ago stretching their goal drought to over six hours in the competition.
FC Seoul, though, did score in last week's 1-1 domestic draw with Gyeongnam which saw Choi's side extend their unbeaten streak to 13 games in all competitions.
"Tomorrow is not necessarily about a lot of goals, it is only about winning," said Choi.
"We don't expect Western Sydney Wanderers will be too defensive at home, but we have several different strategies and believe in our players.
"Tomorrow is a new game of 90 minutes. It will be very tough and the first goal will be very important, but we a lot of experience of away games. We have a lot of passion and believe we are ready.
"Western Sydney Wanderers at home will want to show how strong they are. While defence will be important we have a lot of strategies, and how players react will be very important.
"Western Sydney Wanderers are a team, rather than relying on individual players, and we are prepared for that."
Choi is boosted by the return of Osmar Barba after the versatile Spaniard, pictured in action during FC Seoul's group stage match with the Central Coast Mariners, missed the first leg due to suspension as FC Seoul look to build on losing last year's final to Guangzhou Evergrande on away goals after drawing both legs against the Chinese Super League side.
"We are not thinking about the final, only this match," added Choi. "However, yes of course, missing out last season motivates the whole team.
"Important players are returning for us. We want to enjoy this match and show lots of different aspects of our game."
Kim Jin-kyu was part of the FC Seoul squad that reached the final last year, but has since taken over as captain following the off-season departure of Ha Dae-sung.
"We have watched lots of videos and analysed lots of different aspects," said Kim.
"We know they are a good team, but at the same time, we also know that FC Seoul are the best defensive team in the Korean League.
"We trust out players and we trust our strikers to score."
Photo: WSG