Tue, 30 Nov, -0001
Coach Choi Yang-soo has backed FC Seoul to transfer the success of last year’s dominant K-League title triumph into the AFC Champions League this season, starting with Tuesday’s Group E opener against Chinese Super League runners-up Jiangsu Sainty.
FC Seoul marched to a second K-League title in three years in 2012 after winning the domestic crown in impressive fashion by finishing 17 points clear at the top of the table to earn a third AFC Champions League appearance having reached the quarter-finals in both 2009 and 2011.
And FC Seoul have crucially retained a virtually unchanged squad this season which includes last season’s K-League top-scorer Dejan Damjanovic, who plundered 31 goals last season.
“Jiangsu are an improving side in the Chinese Super League, but as the match is our first in the competition this season, we will aim to do our best. Jiangsu are a good team and can dominate in the air and also at set-pieces,” said former Korea Republic international Choi, who won the K-League title in his first full season in charge.
“But as we have kept hold of our key players, we are confident we can continue our form from last season. Our goal for this season is to defend our K-League Classic title and also win the AFC Champions League. We want to be number one in Asia.”
And while FC Seoul are set to field last season’s K-League top-scorer on Tuesday, Jiangsu will be unable to call upon the Chinese Super League equivalent from 2012 after Romanian striker Cristian Danalache was ruled out for six months with an ankle injury.
Danalache plundered 23 goals in 21 games as Dragan Okuka’s Jiangsu pushed defending champions Guangzhou Evergrande to the penultimate round of fixtures before being forced to settle for a second place finish, although the club’s best-ever finish did secure a maiden AFC Champions League appearance.
“This is the first time we will participate in the AFC Champions League, while FC Seoul have a lot of experience and have won the K-League twice recently,” said Serbian coach Okuka, who like FC Seoul counterpart Choi, was named domestic Coach of the Year in 2012.
“FC Seoul have not changed their squad from last season which means they are still strong, but we also have similar players compared to last season and we are confident we can continue to develop and I hope that this is the next step for the club.
“The match is the first game of the season for both teams so all we can do is do our best.”
Also on Tuesday in Group E, J.League runners-up Vegalta Sendai will look to make full use of home advantage against play-off winners Buriram United from Thailand at a snowy Sendai Stadium.
With Buriram having edged out Australia’s Brisbane Roar on penalties in the play-offs earlier this month, Sendai coach Makoto Teguramori has been able to take a closer look at the Thai FA Cup winners as his side prepares to make their maiden appearance in the AFC Champions League.
Midfielders Anawin Jujeen, Kai Hirano and Anthong Ampaipitakwong caught Teguramori’s eye during the play-off, while Buriram have since bolstered their ranks with Chilean striker Ramses Bustos as well as Spanish midfielder Carmelo Gonzalez.
“It’s the first time Vegalta Sendai will play in the AFC Champions League and our aim is to play in this tournament for as long as we can. I feel the team has improved and that we are ready to challenge in this tournament,” said Teguramori.
“It is snowing and it is a very big advantage for us to play the first match at home. It will also be different for Buriram, who are coming from warm weather.
“But Bustos is a new player, who is very talented. The midfield is also very attack-minded and the goalkeeper also saved three penalties in the play-offs and it could be bad for us if he continues that form.”
Buriram will look to build on their win over Brisbane, which secured a second appearance in the AFC Champions League, as Attaphol Puspakom’s side prepare to face a familiar Sendai who the Thai Premier League side edged out on penalties during a pre-season tournament at the start of last season.
“Sendai are a very strong team and we will have to do our best against them. We played against Sendai last year and I feel they are a good team. It will be the second time we will play them and we will have to work harder than before,” said Attaphol.
“We played a charity match in Thailand and then flew to Thailand so the players are a little tired, but they are now concentrating on the match.
“We also don’t have players who have experienced cold weather before and we must make sure we are prepared for this.”