Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Jeonju: Coach Choi Kang-hee believes 2006 winners Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors have the 'winning mentality and DNA' to overcome Japan’s Gamba Osaka in the quarter-finals of the AFC Champions League to remain on course for a second continental title.
Under Choi, Jeonbuk won the 2014 K-League Classic title at a canter last year after finishing 14 points clear of runners-up Suwon Samsung, and currently also lead this season’s standing by a healthy margin.
Jeonbuk have not found the AFC Champions League as easy after finishing as runners-up in Group E before edging out China’s Beijing Guoan in the last 16 to earn a sixth quarter-final appearance, but Choi and his side know what it takes to succeed on the continent having also reached the 2011 final.
Click here for the AFC Champions League quarter-final fixtures
“Since the second half of last year, we have enjoyed good results and we won the K-League and that atmosphere led up to the beginning of this year,” said Choi, who led Jeonbuk to their maiden AFC Champions League title in 2006 as well as the 2011 final where they lost to Qatar’s Al Sadd.
“The players have the confidence that they can win in any game, and that winning mentality and DNA can work in the league and in parallel in the AFC Champions League.
“Of course I want to win and I crave having a good memory of winning. Since we set our goal to win the AFC Champions League before the season started, we will still be focused and will be ready for the challenge.”
Jeonbuk are unbeaten at home in the AFC Champions League this season, with Gamba travelling to Jeonju World Cup Stadium for next week’s quarter-final first leg after Choi’s side ended a run of back-to-back Round of 16 exits over the previous two seasons.
“The 2011 squad was the best, the current team needs to match that level of maturity and also improve our strength in depth,” said Choi, who briefly left Jeonbuk after the 2011 final defeat to guide Korea Republic to the 2014 FIFA World Cup before returning to the club in 2013.
“The key to going to the semi-finals and the final is to raise our match performance and maximise it using good resources, while also maintaining the good spirit within the team.
“We reached this stage due to the players’ strong concentration and mentality, but because we have many new players we will still need to work on our match performances and we will need to prepare well.”
Brazilian duo Edu and Eninho had played an important role in Jeonbuk’s run to the last eight, with the former scoring the winner against Beijing, but both have left the club and been replaced by returning compatriot Luiz Henrique and Spanish striker Urko Vera.
Jeonbuk have also added former AFC Player of the Year Lee Keun-ho to their ranks after the 2012 AFC Champions League winner with Ulsan Hyundai returned to Korea from Qatar’s El Jaish.
Veteran striker Lee Dong-gook, however, remains a pivotal figure in the forward line with four goals so far in the competition despite turning 36 in April.
“Overall, we’ve been playing well in the AFC Champions League and as the tournament has progressed the relationships between the players have been getting better and better,” said Lee Dong-gook, who won the Asian Club Championship with Pohang Steelers in 1998.
“However, we have had troubles when playing Japanese teams, who have good technique and passing, so we’ll have to prepare well for the quarter-final against Gamba.”
Lee Dong-gook was named tournament MVP and top scorer as Jeonbuk reached the 2011 AFC Champions League final only to lose on penalties to Al Sadd, and the striker further underlined his importance after winning the K-League Classic’s best player accolade last year having scored 13 goals as Choi’s side claimed the title.
“I believe the battle for ball possession in the midfield will be very competitive. The Japanese players are maybe weaker when put under pressure, so we will need to use our physical ability to take control of the game,” added Jeonbuk captain Lee Dong-gook.
“We always go into each game with a positive feeling. The teams left in the East – Gamba, Guangzhou Evergrande and Kashiwa Reysol – are all difficult teams.
“No matter which team we face, we’ll have to beat them to win the AFC Champions League. I just want to take things step-by-step.”
The quarter-final second leg will take place at Expo ’70 Stadium in Osaka on September 16, with either 2013 champions Guangzhou Evergrande from China or Japan’s Kashiwa Reysol waiting in the semi-finals.
Photo: WSG