Tue, 30 Nov, -0001
Ulsan: Ulsan Hyundai coach Cho Min-kook lavished praise on goalkeeper Kim Seung-gyu after the custodian’s fine performance provided a foundation for his side’s 2-0 AFC Champions League Group H win over Kawasaki Frontale of Japan on Wednesday.
With the match goalless and chances at a premium, Kim Seung-gyu (pictured) pulled off a series of fine second-half saves, including a pair of splendid stops to deny 2013 J.League Top Scorer Yoshita Okubo and a flying effort to deny Yu Kobayashi.
And with their goalkeeper providing too much of an obstacle for Kawasaki, the deadlock between the two evenly-matched sides looked destined to end in a draw until second half substitute Yoo Jun-soo popped up unmarked in the penalty area to open the scoring on 85 minutes before Kim Shin-wook added a second in stoppage time.
“I thought our goalkeeper played very well and he kept us in the game by saving good chances throughout the game,” said coach Cho.
“After our league game at the weekend we were tired but we still had the quality to win the game. Our passing can improve, but we know this will only come with time.
“I told the players at half-time to make use of the ball better and it showed a little bit more in the second half where we were the aggressors.”
Kawasaki coach Yahiro Kazama was philosophical in defeat, although knows his team will have to take their chances better when they face Western Sydney Wanderers next week after the A-League side defeated Guizhou Renhe 1-0 in China.
“We played pretty good for 90 minutes but it wasn’t to be, next time we will play better,” coach Kazama said.
“We wanted to build from the back but could not finish our chances off when we created good opportunities.
“I thought the whole team played well and kept good possession in certain parts of the game. but again. when we had good chances we couldn’t put them away.”
Photo: AFP