Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Suwon: Coach Tatsuma Yoshida is hoping Japan’s Kashiwa Reysol can end a four-game goal drought in Tuesday’s AFC Champions League last 16 first leg against Korea Republic’s Suwon Samsung to take a major step towards the quarter-finals.
The J.League side may have eased through Group E of the continental competition this season after taking top spot ahead of Korea’s Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors.
But the 2013 semi-finalists have failed to find the net in their last four games in all competitions, which included losing 1-0 to Vietnam’s Becamex Binh Duong earlier this month having already secured passage to the last 16 with a game to spare.
“It's hard to say that it isn't a problem, but it is not something to worry about too much,” said Kashiwa coach Yoshida.
“It is not something we have been especially concentrating on in training; we are more concerned with maintaining our freshness and general sharpness.
“Our target in this game is to win. We are ready for the game and want to take a good result with us back to Japan for the second leg. It's important to try and get a goal."
On their last visit to Suwon World Cup Stadium in the group stage of the 2013 AFC Champions League, Kashiwa won 6-2 after the home side missed three penalties.
“We came here two years ago and we have happy memories of the game, but it has no bearing on this match,” added Yoshida having paid particular attention to Suwon’s Group G encounters with China’s Beijing Guoan, Australia’s Brisbane Roar and Japan’s Urawa Red Diamonds this year.
“We have been watching Suwon and know that they are an attacking team with plenty of energy. We watched them play against Urawa Reds, they were strong defensively and won through their counterattacking play. They played in a different way to their usual K-League style.
"All teams that make to the last 16 have their strengths and Suwon too have dangerous players like Yeom Ki-hun, but more than worry about the opposition, we will take care of our own performance.”
But unlike Suwon who are currently in second place in the K-League Classic table, Kashiwa have slipped to 13th in the J.League standings after losing 3-0 to Shonan Bellmare last week.
“We made too many mistakes,” said Yoshida. “The important thing is not to dwell on that past but prepare to put things right in the next game and we have to keep cool heads.
“We are looking forward to the game and we are fully motivated.”
Photo: WSG