Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Sydney: Sydney FC coach Graham Arnold is ready for Wednesday’s “season defining” AFC Champions League Round of 16 second leg tie against China’s Shandong Luneng, with the A-League side out to convert a 1-1 draw from last week’s first leg.
A second half strike from Shandong’s Diego Tardelli cancelled out David Carney’s first half header last week at Jinan Olympic Sports Centre.
But with Sydney looking to make use of home advantage having netted a potentially crucial away goal, Arnold is looking for the Group H winners to extend their impressive first foray into the knockout stage of the AFC Champions League following a disappointing recent domestic campaign.
“We came through a very tough group that no-one gave us a chance of coming through and we find ourselves in a position where we have everything in our hands and we have to make sure we keep it in our hands and our destiny tomorrow night,” said Arnold after Sydney topped Group H ahead of Japan’s Urawa Red Diamonds, 2015 winners Guangzhou Evergrande from China and Korea Republic’s Pohang Steelers.
“It’s our chance to make up for a performance in the A-League that wasn’t fantastic. It’s a season-defining game; it’s an opportunity for us.
“It’s extremely dangerous if you try to play for a draw and sit back. We know one way to play and that is to go forward.
“We’re at home. We have to have the intention to win the game and that is the intention, right from the first minute.
“Last week we played very well over in Shandong, we controlled big parts of that game. The final pass at times let us down, but that just a matter of taking the opportunities when we get them or making sure the final pass or final decision is the right one.”
And despite also reaching the last 16 of the AFC Champions League, two-time quarter-finalists Shandong have also struggled domestically this season with Mano Menezes’ side currently 11th in the Chinese Super League following three consecutive draws.
“Tomorrow’s game is very important. We are totally prepared for the game tomorrow. We hope we get a chance to play in the next stage,” said Menezes’, who will welcome back Jin Jingdao from suspension after the midfielder missed last week’s draw in China.
And after Tardelli netted Shandong’s equaliser last week, the Brazilian is set to feature at Sydney Football Stadium after sitting out Saturday’s goalless draw with Henan Jianye.
“Before the last round he got injured, but he played well in the last round,” added Menezes. “I hope has had enough rest so he can play well tomorrow.”
Photo: Lagardère Sports