Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Seoul: Japanese champions Gamba Osaka may be within sight of the quarter-finals of the AFC Champions League after recording a 3-1 first leg away win at FC Seoul on Wednesday, but coach Kenta Hasegawa is taking nothing for granted in the last 16 contest.
Three second half strikes, including two from the impressive Takashi Usami, ensured a great night for 2008 AFC Champions League winners Gamba at Seoul World Cup Stadium.
But after FC Seoul substitute Yun Ju-tae netted a stoppage time consolation for the home side, Gamba are not yet guaranteed a first quarter-finals appearance since 2011.
Match report: FC Seoul 1-3 Gamba Osaka
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“This match is not yet over,” said Hasegawa. “There is still the second leg to play and we have to stay focused and finish the job that we have started.
“Seoul are a very tough team and they showed that again tonight and we know that they will be the same in the second leg.
“We have to prepare and train well to try and win the next game. There is still a lot of football left.”
Usami broke the deadlock for the Japanese champions just after the hour mark with a spectacular volley before Yonekura added a second for the visitors.
And Usami added a third with five minutes remaining before Yun struck for FC Seoul in stoppage time.
“In the second half, Usami stepped forward and was very lively after he scored his first goal,” added Hasegawa.
“I thought about substituting him earlier as he had been making a number of mistakes and isn't in the best condition, but I kept faith in him and in the end we got a good result.”
Gamba, though, will be wary of an FC Seoul side who beat fellow J.League side Kashima Antlers 3-2 in Japan at the end of the group stage.
“Lots of fans came from Japan to support us and I want to thank them,” said Hasegawa.
“The players too. They concentrated until the end and that is how we were able to win the game.
“We had to keep going until the end and it was a very difficult contest for us.”
Photo: WSG