Saitama: Shanghai SIPG coach Andre Villas-Boas admitted victory over Urawa Red Diamonds in the semi-final second leg on Wednesday would be a very “special gift” with the match at Saitama Stadium coming the day after his 40th birthday.
After a dominant attacking display in the first meeting with the J.League club last month only yielded a 1-1 draw, the former Chelsea, Porto and Zenit St. Petersburg coach conceded that the tie is tightly poised.
“It’s going to be a special game against Urawa Reds, and we’re going to have to overcome an away goal disadvantages, so it’s going to be tough,” said Villas-Boas.
“We have to work hard and we will do our best. If we can create a lot of chances, like we did before, then we can score.
“Last time we were here, we missed two penalties, so hopefully this time we can score the goals that would put us into the final.
“Getting to the final would be a very special [birthday] gift indeed – we can only dream of this. It would really be a gift for all the efforts we’ve put in this season.”
The failure to win the first leg at home, in a stadium where Shanghai SIPG have been so dominant in this year’s AFC Champions League, was clearly a regret for the Portugese coach who again bemoaned his side’s ill fortune.
With, 21 shots attempts by Shanghai SIPG to Urawa’s three, and 14 chances created to two, the statistics do back-up Villas-Boas’ point.
“We dominated the game. We had more shots, we hit the crossbar, hit the post and should have won,” he said.
“Unfortunately, we weren’t efficient in finishing. Urawa were more efficient in that respect.
“No matter how much you train on finishing, doesn’t mean you will score every time. You have to be lucky sometimes.”
With the tie now switching from one dominant home fortress to another, Villas-Boas is well aware that it will be a different scenario in Saitama, particularly in an environment where star playmaker Yosuke Kashiwagi, who scored Urawa’s equaliser in the first leg, can thrive.
“Kashiwagi is a very good player, he is one of the best players in Urawa and organises the team very well,” added Villas-Boas.
“We will have to control Kashiwagi, and the rest of their team. They have quality throughout their side. So much technical ability. From Kashiwagi to [Shinzo] Koroki to [Tadanari] Lee to [Rafael] Da Silva – never-ending quality.
“In my opinion, both teams are where they deserve to be in the AFC Champions League: facing each other in this semi-final.”
Photos: Lagardère Sports
Source: the-afc.com