Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Jeonju: Coach Gregorio Manzano has stressed the importance of making a positive start to Beijing Guoan’s AFC Champions League last 16 tie with Korea Republic’s Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors on Tuesday with the Chinese Super League side chasing a historic first appearance in the quarter-finals.
The Play-off winners are appearing in the Round of 16 for the third time in seven appearances in the continental competition, although in both 2010 and 2013 Beijing lost to Korean opposition in the form of Suwon Samsung and most recently FC Seoul.
But with Beijing currently in third place in the Super League and having qualified for the last 16 as Group G winners ahead of Suwon on the back of a five game unbeaten streak in all competitions, Manzano is hoping to end that unwanted run starting with a strong showing at Jeonju World Cup Stadium in Tuesday’s first leg.
“We have aspirations to pass this stage as in our history we have not passed this stage before. We are doing well in the league and we hope to also do well in the Champions League,” said Spaniard Manzano, who led Beijing to a runners-up finish in the Chinese Super League in his first full season with the club last year.
“We are not sure if we can achieve this now so we need to first do well in the first game and then go back home and fight again.
“Last year we lacked a bit of luck as we missed a penalty in the away game in Australia and that might have helped us progress to the next stage. We have learned a lot and have a lot of confidence and now we are in this stage, we are doing better.”
Beijing beat Suwon (pictured), who are currently in second place in the K-League Classic but eight points behind leaders Jeonbuk, 1-0 at home earlier in the group stage before sharing a 1-1 draw on their last visit to Korea earlier this month.
“It will be a very difficult match as we know Jeonbuk is the leading team in the K-League and that they are very strong, but we have a lot of confidence to play against them although we know it will still not be easy,” added Manzano.
“I don’t think it will help that we have played Korean teams before; the game with Suwon was in the group stage and does not matter for this game.”
Beijing are currently third in the Super League table, just a point behind joint leaders Shanghai SIPG and fellow AFC Champions League last 16 side Guangzhou Evergrande, following Saturday’s 2-0 home win over Liaoning.
“The Super League is getting stronger and this will help Chinese teams to play better in the Champions League,” said Manzano.
“When a team buys good players the level of that team will rise, there are now so many good teams in the league and every time the matches are getting more difficult.”
Photo: WSG