ACL MD4 - Group H: Sydney FC v Pohang Steelers preview

Published on: 04 April 2016

Sydney: Coach Graham Arnold has called on Sydney FC to take a big step towards making “club history”, with a first-ever place in the AFC Champions League last 16 a real possibility should they achieve a positive result against Pohang Steelers in Tuesday’s Group H clash at Sydney Football Stadium.

The second-placed Korean visitors sit just two points behind the table-topping A-League side, after their 1-0 defeat to Arnold’s side in Pohang on Matchday Three thanks to Chris Naumoff’s first-half goal.

And although Sydney have struggled on the domestic front, and are winless in their past 11 A-League fixtures, their continental form, that has seen them also chalk up a 2-1 victory of defending champions Guangzhou Evergrande following their 2-0 opening defeat to Urawa Red Diamonds, has been encouraging.

“It’s exciting to be in the AFC Champions League. I’ve had a big focus on the ACL this season and the boys have done exceptionally well in two out of the three games so far,” said Sydney coach Graham Arnold, whose side lost 2-0 to Adelaide United on Saturday.

“We’re in a tough group, and to be sitting top is a great achievement, but we’re only half way through, we have to finish it off.

“I’ve had a focus to deliver to Sydney FC fans something they’ve never had in the history of the club and that’s making the last 16 for the first time in club’s history.”

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Pohang’s mixed results on the continent so far saw them follow up a goalless draw against Guangzhou with a 1-0 win over Urawa before their defeat to Sydney FC last month.

And while coach Choi Jin-cheul is aware of his hosts A-League travails, he is under no illusions about the challenge that the three-time Asian champions face in Australia.

“Sydney FC are a very good team, despite their domestic results,” said Choi, who saw Pohang lose 1-0 away at Seongnam FC in the K-League Classic on Saturday.

“We expect them to be very good with the ball. We will do our best to attack and find space behind their defensive lines.

“This match is very important for us, so we won’t only set up defensively, but we will look to attack strongly.

“We would like to manage our game very safely. We will do our best to be very safe defensively.”

Photo: Lagardère Sports

 

Source: the-afc.com

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