 |
Clubs |
|
 |
 |
|
 | News |
| | Schedule & Results |
| | Previous Competitions |
| | Regulations & Guidelines |
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
| AFC Cup |
|
|
|
| A good experience, says Jose Luis |
 |
| South China |
HONG KONG – South China coach Jose Luis Silva admitted the experience his players have gained playing in the AFC Cup will bode well for next season after they signed off with a 3-0 win over Victory SC at Mongkok Stadium on Wednesday night.
The hosts dominated the opening half and deservedly took the lead through Tales Schutz's header before Cris added a second just before the break.
The Brazilian then rounded off the win when he headed home his second midway through the second half.
The victory was South China's first in the competition and ensured they did not finish bottom of the group, condemning their Maldives opponents instead to that fate.
"It has been very difficult for South China because in the league and the cup I have one team and in the AFC Cup I have to play a changed team," said Jose Luis.
"It would have been very difficult for South China to progress but maybe next season we can get better players and then go through to the next round.
"The experience has been great for the players as they have learnt this season and then next season they should be better equipped for the AFC Cup."
The Hong Kong side saved arguably their best performance in the competition for last and they never looked in trouble against Victory.
And Jose Luis admitted he was delighted with the way his players applied themselves throughout the game.
"The players had a very good motivation for the game today and they played well," he added.
"We played better than Victory for the whole 90 minutes."
Victory coach Ali Suzain admitted it has been difficult for his side to compete with the quality of the players in their opponents' teams.
The Maldives side failed to win a single game throughout their campaign and finished with just two points.
"I don't feel we really achieved anything in the AFC Cup," said Suzain.
"Compared to the other teams like South China and Kedah we cannot compete with the quality of their foreign players.
"I thought in the first half we should have concentrated more but in the second half we played much better. There were not many goalscoring opportunities but we played better.
"We have a very young team so this has been a good experience for them and I told the players to make maximum use of the match."
|
|
|
|
|
|
