AFC Champions League Two
Al Ghassani’s 15th minute penalty paved the way for a vital victory that will give the Thailand side an advantage to protect in the return leg next week with Sripan expressing his delight at the way his players executed the gameplan.
#ACLTwo | Semi-finals 1st Leg: Gamba Osaka (JPN) 0-1 Bangkok United (THA)
“Gamba have high quality and pressured us for the whole game,” said Totchtawan. “We wanted to have more of the ball like we normally do but weren't allowed to do so with Gamba forcing us to sit deep and defend.
“So we had to resort to protecting our lead, so compliments to the players for holding out until the end. A lot of work went into the analysis of Gamba before this match."
“So we had to resort to protecting our lead, so compliments to the players for holding out until the end. A lot of work went into the analysis of Gamba before this match."
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“We knew their player number 11 (Issam Jebali) was key to how they attack and how they want to move so we tried to eliminate his influence on the game. It's a credit to the players for following the plan so well.”
Omani forward Al Ghassani said Bangkok showed plenty of grit as they were able to fend off Gamba, limiting them to only two shots on target.
Omani forward Al Ghassani said Bangkok showed plenty of grit as they were able to fend off Gamba, limiting them to only two shots on target.
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“The game was very difficult against a very good team,” said Al Ghassani. “We managed to score first and then focused on our defence. In the end, we managed to defend well and win this game.
“When preparing for this game, we knew they like to press so we prepared for counter attacks. We made some good moves and we helped each other very well. When we attacked, we did it together.
“Their pressing also gave us space to attack and we were able to create some good chances. It was from such a move that we were also to force a foul that saw them get a player sent off.”
“When preparing for this game, we knew they like to press so we prepared for counter attacks. We made some good moves and we helped each other very well. When we attacked, we did it together.
“Their pressing also gave us space to attack and we were able to create some good chances. It was from such a move that we were also to force a foul that saw them get a player sent off.”
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In Gamba’s desperation to find a way back into the game, they left gaps at the back which Bangkok United exploited with Shinnosuke Nakatani forced handle the ball to prevent Arthur from going through on goal, leaving the Japanese side to play the remaining 15 minutes of regulation time with a player less.
Head coach Jens Wissing, however, felt his team never lost control despite going a player down with the German tactician putting the defeat down to the finer details and promising a different outcome in the return leg.
Head coach Jens Wissing, however, felt his team never lost control despite going a player down with the German tactician putting the defeat down to the finer details and promising a different outcome in the return leg.
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“We lost today but while it was not a deserved loss, we were not at our best level,” said Wissing. “In the first half, we were too slow and were only able to create one good chance. The second half was a little bit better even when we were a man down.
“We had 70 percent ball possession but we missed the sharpness in the final third to break the lines, to find the right passess against a defence that sat deep. We accept this result, this is only half-time in the tie. We know what we have to do in the second leg and we will do it better.”
“We had 70 percent ball possession but we missed the sharpness in the final third to break the lines, to find the right passess against a defence that sat deep. We accept this result, this is only half-time in the tie. We know what we have to do in the second leg and we will do it better.”
