Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Seoul: Despite losing the home leg of their AFC Champions League last 16 tie 3-1 to Japanese champions Gamba Osaka, former finalists FC Seoul are not about to give up according to coach Choi Yong-soo.
For most of the first leg at the Seoul World Cup Stadium, the K-League Classic side had been on top and looking the likelier to score.
The hosts, however, were shocked by three Gamba goals in the space of 24 second half minutes with two goals from Takashi Usami sandwiching a strike from Koki Yonekaru.
But 2013 finalists FC Seoul, who had more possession and chances on goal than the clinical visitors, pushed everything forward in search of something to show for their efforts and were rewarded with a 93rd minute goal from substitute Yun Ju-tae ahead of next week’s second leg in Japan.
Match report: FC Seoul 1-3 Gamba Osaka
Video highlights
“This is only half-time and there are still 90 minutes left,” said Choi.
“We were balanced in the first half, but were affected by Kim Chi-woo's injury in the second.
“We allowed crosses into the area too easily. I ordered them to mark tightly in the area, but it didn't happen and it was disappointing. But these things can always happen in football.
“I want to apologise to the fans who came here tonight to give us their full support, but we will not give up in the second leg and we will keep going right until the end to try and do all we can to get to the last eight.”
Play-off qualifiers FC Seoul, though, now need to score at least three goals at Expo ’70 Stadium next week to remain in contention for a third consecutive quarter-finals appearance.
“We let in too many goals tonight so in the second leg we plan to prepare our players who can score,” added Choi.
And former Korea Republic international striker Choi knows FC Seoul must pay more attention to Usami in the return fixture.
“We knew that Usami is a skillful player who can change the game in an instant and he showed that tonight,” said Choi.
Photo: WSG