Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Tianjin: Chinese FA Cup winners Tianjin Ted shared the spoils with last season's A-League runners-up Central Coast Mariners as the pair picked up a point apiece in their opening Group G encounter in the 2012 AFC Champions League on Wednesday.
The 0-0 draw was Tianjin's first competitive fixture of 2012 after losing 2-1 in the Chinese Super Cup to Guangzhou Evergrande at the weekend, and new coach Josip Kuze was left with mixed emotions after the game.
"I am not very happy because we didn't win," said the Croatian, who replaced Arie Haan at the end of last season. "But I am not unhappy with the team's performance in the game. This is our first game and we are still facing lots of difficulties.
"At the beginning, we had problems either creating chances or scoring goals when encountering the Mariners' strong defence. But after a while our spirit grew and gradually we could form some effective attacking, based on our stable defence.
"We had some good chances, but always failed with our finishing. We don't have players with the ability to convert these situations into a winning situation.
"On the other hand, our opponents were in good shape due to their continuous domestic games. They became comfortable in the game quickly. Physically they are used to attacking and defending, not like our players.
"From what we saw, we were the better side on the pitch, but we couldn't score goals."
Central Coast coach Graham Arnold conceded his team were far from being in perfect condition following their 1-1 draw in the A-League with Sydney FC at the weekend and the tiring journey to Tianjin.
"Our players did quite well in the match," he said. "Having had an important match with Sydney on Sunday, plus the travelling, we were not in the best shape.
"Under these circumstances, a draw is quite good. Also, Tianjin Teda played well too.
"I think Tianjin is team with good quality. I could tell that Josip Kuze has a good influence over them. Chinese football is improving a lot, so is the Chinese Super League. One day it will exceed the J.League and the K-League."