Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Saitama: Zlatan Ljubijankic’s penalty three minutes from time ensured Japan’s Urawa Red Diamonds and Pohang Steelers of Korea Republic shared a 1-1 draw in Group H of the AFC Champions League on Tuesday as the hosts advanced to the knockout phase as runners-up.
After a goalless first half at Saitama Stadium 2002 the visitors went in front 20 minutes into the second half through Lazar Veselinovic’s spot-kick before Slovenian Ljubijankic (pictured) levelled the tie late on with a penalty of his own to rescue a point.
Urawa now progress to the last 16 in second place after a point was insufficient to help them leapfrog table-toppers Sydney FC, who suffered a 1-0 reversal at the hands of Guangzhou Evergrande in the day’s other Group H encounter, while Pohang finish their continental campaign propping up the table.
“After giving away the lead our players fought hard with determination for the win, although we ended up with a draw,” said Urawa coach Mihailo Petrovic, whose side will now play Group F winners FC Seoul in the Round of 16.
“Whatever position you are in the standings, you play for a win in every game, and that’s a motivation for the players.
“We got through the group stage after overcoming the tight schedule of playing both the J.League and the ACL. Our team is growing and I give them credit for that.”
After a quiet opening 30 minutes the game burst into life as half-time approached with both sides spurning opportunities to open the scoring.
Urawa defender Daisuke Nasu was the first guilty culprit when, unmarked eight yards from goal, he headed captain Yosuke Kashiwagi’s free-kick straight at goalkeeper Kim Jin-young in the 37th minute.
Then two minutes later forward Ljubijankic controlled Toshiyuki Takagi’s chipped ball through the middle with his chest before turning and volleying goalwards only for Kim to save well with his feet.
Urawa came close for a third time in the 43rd minute when defender Wataru Hashimoto’s powerful drive from outside the penalty box flew past the left post before Veselinovic’s powerful effort was tipped over by goalkeeper Shusaku Nishikawa at the other end on the stroke of half-time.
The home side continued in the ascendency after the restart and Kim was again called into action to save one-handed from Naoki Ishihara’s strike from 20 yards four minutes in.
But Pohang then came back into the game and Park Sun-yong forced Nishikawa to save well from just inside the area after being played in by Choe Ho-ju.
The Korean side were then awarded a penalty in the 65th minute after Park Jun-hui went down in the box and Veselinovic duly converted with aplomb to put his side a goal to the good.
And Pohang could have doubled their advantage 10 minutes from time when Park Jun-hui fired in from distance, but Nishikawa did well to readjust and block with his left hand.
Urawa were then awarded the second penalty of the night in the 87th minute after substitute Kim Jun-su handled in the box and Ljubijankic converted to level the scores.
“After our chances of qualification disappeared, today we tested various things such as new tactics and new positions,” said Pohang coach Choi Jin-cheul.
“We couldn’t cope with the way they played in the first half as they changed around their positions, and their number 10 was good in possession of the ball.
“So [in the second half] we added one extra player in midfield to put pressure on him. After that, we played better.”
Photo: Lagardère Sports