Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Saitama: Coach Andres Villas-Boas bemoaned Shanghai SIPG’s inability to create chances as they crashed out of the AFC Champions League at the semi-final stage following a 1-0 loss to Urawa Red Diamonds on Wednesday, resulting in a 2-1 aggregate defeat.
Urawa’s Rafael Silva broke the deadlock on 11 minutes at Saitama Stadium to put the onus to attack squarely onto Shanghai SIPG, who had come into the tie behind on away goals.
And yet, despite the likes of 2017 AFC Champions League leading scorer Hulk, Brazilian star Oscar, China forward Wu Lei and two-time continental winner Elkeson in their attack, Shanghai SIPG struggled to carve out clear-cut opportunities, mainly restricted to long-range efforts.
“We had a lot of the ball but couldn’t create a lot of chances,” said former Chelsea and Zenit St Petersburg coach Villas-Boas.
“We paid for one single mistake we made in the first half at the corner, that was the goal that put Urawa through.
“Once they scored they gave us the ball and sat back. We couldn’t create chances to get in behind their defence, who played well.
“As time went on in the second half we ended up playing more long balls and just couldn’t create anything. Their strategy worked and ours didn’t.”
www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/hulk_lostt.html
