Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Tokyo: Kim Bo-kyung scored and provided an assist as Korean champions Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors moved to the top of AFC Champions League Group E after recording a 3-0 win over Japan’s FC Tokyo on Wednesday. VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS
Kim, who have been picked out by coach Choi Kang-hee before the match having previously played in Japan, opened the scoring at Tokyo Stadium after 35 minutes with a finish from inside the area.
The former Cerezo Osaka, Oita Trinita and Matsumoto Yamagata midfielder then set-up Lee Jae-sung to head home the second just after the hour mark before substitute Go Moo-yul sealed the win in stoppage time as Jeonbuk leapfrogged FC Tokyo as the 2006 AFC Champions League winners bounced back from their defeat by Vietnam’s Becamex Binh Duong earlier this month and Choi’s side will head into next month’s final round of fixtures at the top of the table.
“Kim Bo-kyung did exactly what I had wanted him to play. He played well and showed good combination work in midfield, but I hope he can do even more to develop his game,” said Jeonbuk coach Choi.
“Playing away from home was a difficult game for us, but our players fought hard and our tactics worked out well, too. We knew their attacking moves are dangerous so we tried to neutralise that. We tried to prevent them from delivering through-balls, and our defenders coped with that well, too.
“I am grateful to our players and for the remaining match we’ll ensure we’re fully focused on our aim to win the game.”
Following a cagey start to the contest with neither side able to create quality inside the final third, Jeonbuk opened the scoring 10 minutes before half-time as Kim showed superb individual skill having received the ball with his back to goal before finishing with aplomb from inside the penalty area following patient build up from the visitors involving Leonardo and Ricardo Lopes.
Jeonbuk added a second a minute after the hour mark as Lee was on hand to head home from close range from Kim’s scuffed shot following Lee Dong-gook’s back post cross.
And Jeonbuk sealed the win in the first minute of stoppage time at the end of the second half as FC Tokyo failed to deal with a long ball forward and Han Kyo-won broke into the penalty area before laying the ball back across the face of goal for fellow substitute Go to fire into the unguarded net with goalkeeper Kentaro Kakoi drawn out of position at his near post.
“We wanted to earn three points and the qualification to the next round before our supporters today but we couldn’t. That is very disappointing,” said FC Tokyo coach Hiroshi Jofuku.
“We should look at the way we lost the ball that led to conceding as we gave up four goals in our recent J. League match as well. We also couldn’t form our attack well enough to make many attempts on goal.
“This indicates that we should fundamentally review the way we retain possession of the ball in both attack and defence – we need to correct these mistakes.”
Photo: Lagardère Sports