Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Tokyo: Japan’s FC Tokyo secured their first points of the 2016 AFC Champions League with a 3-1 comeback win over Vietnamese champions Becamex Binh Duong on Tuesday with Nathan Burns and Ryoichi Maeda on the scoresheet at Tokyo Stadium.
Nguyen Anh Duc had given the visitors a shock lead midway through the first half, but Australian forward Burns restored parity in the 50th minute before an own goal from Binh Duong goalkeeper Bui Tan Truong put FC Tokyo ahead.
And Maeda made certain of the three points in the 84th minute as the J.League team bounced back from their Matchday One loss to 2006 winners Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors.
“We were in a ‘must win’ situation today. In the ACL, you’ve got to win at home as you can expect tougher situations away from home,” said FC Tokyo coach Hiroshi Jofuku.
“Even after going a goal down, our players played patiently and kept playing our football. I should be positive about the fact we played with everyone on the team and earned three points today.”
“The game today has spurred our players and increased the level of the competition between our players.”
Intending to start quickly after their 2-1 defeat last week in Korea Republic, FC Tokyo went close inside the opening 10 minutes in Japan’s capital city as Kota Mizunuma forced Tan Truong into a sprawling save with his venomous effort from 25-yards.
Binh Duong, though, were unconcerned by FC Tokyo’s early dominance and on 23 minutes the visitors took the lead through their captain’s second goal in consecutive continental games.
Han Seung-yeop slipped in Henry Kisekka, and although FC Tokyo goalkeeper Yota Akimoto parried both the Ugandan’s initial effort and Han’s follow-up, he could do nothing about Anh Duc running in at the back post to nod home the loose ball.
The goal saw FC Tokyo step up their efforts and just four minutes later Sotan Tanabe saw his shot from the edge of the penalty area cannon off the foot of Tan Truong’s right hand upright and behind.
And with nine minutes remaining of the first half, Francisco Sandaza had the woodwork shaking again as the Spanish striker’s shot flicked off the diving Tan Truong’s fingertips before crashing off the near post.
At half-time, Jofuku brought on Matchday One goalscorer Takuma Abe for Mizunuma and the substitute had an immediate impact.
After a spell of early pressure, Abe crossed in from the left, Sandaza headed back across goal, and Burns rifled home from 10 yards out.
And Abe then earned his side a penalty on 65 minutes after a foul by Le Tan Tai, but Sandaza’s spot kick was saved by Tan Truong, diving low to his left.
But just two minutes later the hosts completed the turnaround as Ryoya Ogawa’s cornerkick was inadvertently diverted into his own net by Binh Duong goalkeeper Tan Truong, who left the field shortly after having sustained an injury following a collision with Keigo Higashi.
Maeda, though, gave replacement goalkeeper Nguyen Quoc Thien Esele little chance with six minutes remaining as the second half substitute settled the tie with a firm header from another Ogawa corner.
“I’d like to congratulate FC Tokyo for their win. They had a wonderful performance today,” said Binh Duong coach Nguyen Thanh Son.
“We were missing five of our regular players from today’s game due to their injury, but the rest of our players here did their best even though we lost.”
Photo: Lagardère Sports