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| AFC Champions League |
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| Engels: Reds still in the reckoning |
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| Despite losing 3-2 to Al Qadsia in the quarter-final first leg Urawa coach Gert Engels is confident the Reds will reach the semi-finals. (AFP) |
KUWAIT CITY - Urawa Reds coach Gert Engels still believes his side are in a good position to progress to the ACL semi-finals despite suffering a 3-2 defeat in the first leg of their quarter-final encounter against Al Qadsia on Wednesday.
After Edmilson had cancelled out Fahed Al Ebrahim’s opener, Selim Benachour and a Khalaf Al Mutairi penalty gave the hosts a 3-1 advantage before the Brazilian netted his and Urawa’s second late in the game to give them a lifeline ahead of the return leg next Wednesday.
It means the J. League side now need just the narrowest of wins in Saitama to make the last four and Engels believes his players are up to the task.
"We need to win only 1-0 in the match at home," he said.
"I'm confident the team can do it."
Qadsia had looked particularly dangerous from set pieces with two of their three goals coming from free-kicks and Engels was unhappy with the way his team defended.
"It was tough game and I thought we played well in the first half,” he added.
"Qadsia are a very balanced team and they showed a lot of professionalism in the qualification rounds.
"However, I wasn't happy with the way we conceded those goals.
"The first two came off free-kicks and then the penalty. Those goals were disappointing and it gives us something to think about in the return match."
However, Engels did admit he was grateful for Edmilson’s contribution.
"Our continued efforts and persistence paid off in the last minute when we got that second goal,” he said.
"It was an important goal and losing 3-2 certainly makes our task in the second leg at home a lot easier than had we lost 3-1.
"But we still have to go out there and win the return game and that is going to be a tough match as well."
To make matters worse, Reds suffered a further set back when Satoshi Horinouchi was sent off after bringing down Bader Al Mutawa in the area nine minutes from the end for the spot kick which Al Mutairi converted.
However, apart from that enforced change, Engels hinted he did not think major surgery to the Reds line-up was required for the second leg match.
"We would certainly have to make one change because of the red card, but I don't think wholesale changes are necessary," he concluded.
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