Saitama: Japan international Wataru Endo insists Urawa Red Diamonds will be on the front foot from the very start of their 2017 AFC Champions League semi-final second leg clash with Shanghai SIPG on Wednesday.
A 1-1 draw from the first meeting in Shanghai last month does give the J.League side a slim advantage courtesy of their away goal, but the 24-year-old was quick to dismiss any suggestion Urawa would sit back on their lead.
“No, we don’t think it [the scoreline] is an advantage at all – we don’t want to think this way – we will go for the win no matter what,” Endo said.
“It’s true that a goalless scoreline would be good enough for us this time round, but I strongly believe it is not a good thing to think like this.
“We’ll be on the offensive throughout – especially at the very beginning; we will attack right from the kick-off.”
Words that will cheer their home supporters who are slated to pack the stands of Saitama Stadium and create a raucous atmosphere.
Indeed, in front of their own fans, Urawa have been particularly indomitable, winning five consecutive home victories in the 2017 edition of the continental competition.
“As we are fighting at home, we know there will be a lot of supporters and so the atmosphere will be good for us,” added Endo.
“We will use this to our advantage as much as we can, and see if we can do better than 100% of our ability in front of all our fans.”
Endo’s coach, Takafumi Hori, concurred with the importance and significance of home comforts.
“For everybody involved, it’s very important to win and show our appreciation to all those who support us and are involved in the team,” he said.
“As the only Japanese team remaining in the AFC Champions League we have to do our best and fulfill our responsibilities. Shanghai is a great team, but we believe that we have also shown our strength through the games up to here.
“The team motivation is really good, so we will show that in our play tomorrow. And we want to move on to the final.”
Photos: Lagardère Sports
Source: the-afc.com