Kashima: Sanfrecce Hiroshima midfielder Tsukasa Morishima admitted that conceding first put the visitors on the backfoot against AFC Champions League holders Kashima Antlers after Tuesday's Round of 16 first leg defeat in Ibaraki.
Sanfrecce had entered the tie at Kashima Soccer Stadium on the back of a five-match winning run in the Continental tournament, but on 24 minutes the hosts' Brazilian star Serginho rediscovered his golden touch at this phase of the competition to net his sixth goal in seven knockout stage appearances.
The away side responded to going behind and would ultimately dominate possesion (60 percent to 40 percent) as well as have more efforts on goal than their hosts in the match, but they were unable to make their chances count.
The late sending off of midfielder Sho Inagaki also compounded matters on a difficult night for Morishima and his teammates.
"I feel we started well, but unfortunately Kashima were the first to make the breakthrough," said the 22-year-old Morishima.
"The opening goal, coming midway through the first half, changed the game and made the situation a lot more difficult for us.
"Of course, we tried our best to find the equaliser and get that vital away goal. Going down to 10 men, even though it was near the end of the game, is far from ideal; for this match and with the resulting suspension for the second leg."
Round of 16: Kashima Antlers v Sanfrecce Hiroshima
The only previous time Sanfrecce reached the AFC Champions League Round of 16 was in 2014 when eventual winners Western Sydney Wanderers triumphed on away goals after a 3-3 aggregate draw.
Morishima is determined that there will not be a repeat of that result this time around when the teams return to Hiroshima Athletic Stadium on Tuesday.
Although, he admits, the team is wary of the threat the away goal may play once again.
"It's a must-win at home now next week, there's no other option for us," said the man from Mie Prefecture. "As such, we absolutely need to show our concentration, focus and aggressiveness in the game right from kick-off.
"Due to the away goals rule, it's essential we don't let Kashima score to give ourselves a chance.
"We will do our very best to get the result we need and progress to the quarter-finals."
Source: the-afc.com