|  KASHIMA 2-2 FC SOUL. AET:(4-5)GUNES GUNNING FOR FINAL
 KASHIMA - FC Seoul coach Senol Gunes believes his side will now reach the final of the AFC Champions League after they edged a thrilling encounter with Kashima Antlers on Tuesday to secure their place in the quarter-finals.
The Koreans twice battled back from a goal down to force extra time and, with neither side able to score, the game went to penalties where Seoul came out on top 5-4 with Park Yong-ho scoring the decisive spot-kick.
The Kashima Stadium had been a fortress for the hosts in the ACL prior to the game with all three sides that travelled their during the group stage having succumbed to defeat as well as failing to score a single goal.
But Seoul put paid to that record with a fine performance as they once again showed their steel against Japanese sides having beaten 2008 ACL champions Gamba Osaka at Expo ´70 Stadium during their group campaign.
"It was a good game," said Gunes. "As I have said before, whoever won this game will be the one that goes to the final and I believe this is still true.
"We are very fortunate to be able to win this game and for now I will take things one game at a time."
The hosts had taken the lead through Shinzoh Koroki in the fifth minute before Lee Seung-yeoul equalised in the 22nd minute.
Takeshi Aoki headed Kashima back in front five minutes after the restart but the turning point came when Kashima skipper Mitsuo Ogasawara was sent off for a second bookable offence in the 64th minute.
That prompted an assault from Seoul and they drew level 13 minutes from time through Ki Sung-young.
"I think for the fans it was a great game," added Gunes.
"Both teams played very well but the first goal came as we made a mistake defence. But then they made a mistake and we were able to score.
"They then had a player sent off but they played really well despite having one man less."
The defeat for Kashima meant they crashed out of the ACL at the first knock-out hurdle for the second successive year.
The Japanese side have been fighting on two fronts this season with the club on course to defend their J.League title as they sit at the top of the table with a seven-point lead.
But coach Oswaldo Oliveira insists that their desire to win as many competitions as possible was not a reason for the defeat to Seoul and backed his players to recover.
"These things happen in these competitions," he said. "It is difficult to win every single championship, we try our hardest but it is sometimes not possible."
"We have another game right away this weekend but by then the team will be able to play well once again." 24.06.2009 JAPON
 Gamba 1-2 FC Seoul: Gunes joy as Seoul shows heart
OSAKA – FC Seoul coach Senol Gunes admitted he was delighted with the performance of his players in the 2-1 win over Gamba Osaka that secured their place in the last 16 of the AFC Champions League.
The Koreans needed to win to have a chance of claiming second place in Group F whilst hope Shandong Luneng failed to beat Sriwijaya.
The hosts had taken the lead in the 64th minute when 17-year-old Takashi Usami scored his first professional goal.
Dejan Damjanovic equalised 10 minutes later before Kim Han-yoon struck late on to end Gamba´s unbeaten run in the tournament.
It looked as though the win was going to be for nothing, however, as Shandong raced into a two-goal lead in Indonesia later in the evening.
However, four second half goals secured a shock 4-2 win for Sriwijaya and confirmed Seoul´s place in the knockout stage, where they travel to Kashima Antlers on June 24.
"I´m delighted with this victory," said Gunes. "It was the game we had to win.
"Gamba were a better side than us technically and we managed to match them by playing with all out might.
"We scored and beat them and I´m happy about that."
Gamba coach Akira Nishino, meanwhile, was disappointed with the result but felt heartened by the display of his younger players.
Taking advantage of having secured top spot in the group, Nishino opted to field his less experienced players.
His players responded well to their manager´s expectations, with midfielder Usami performing particularly well.
"It is a shame about the result. We should have got a win," said Nishino.
"The players that played showed a good approach and worked hard but they need to learn how to develop the game after the scores were level."
Asked about Usami, who scored on in his debut for Gamba, Nishino said:
"He was getting cramp in both legs, but he was still able to play well and scored the goal and I think that indicates he is different.
"This is the time he can be developed. I´d like to use him when the situation is available."
After winning the group, Gamba will face J. League counterparts Kawasaki Frontale on June 24.
"It´s too early to think about that," added Nishino.
"But I was hoping to see that all the J. League teams win their group and advance to meet each other in the quarter-finals.
"One of the two can advance to the following stage, and I hope that will be
FC SEOUL QUALIFY FOR ACL NEXT YEAR 2009
The Gunes side finished second in the league on goal difference leveling Suwon on 54 points but qualified for the Asia´s premium club competition. With the second in the final league table play-off is scheduled to be held at Seoul´s home soil of Sangam World Cup Stadium on November 30. The opponent is the winner going through top 6 play-offs and semi-play-offs. The win in the semi-final of the play-off will allow Seoul to play two Championship finals on December 3 at home and 7 at away respectively.
After the final whistle, Seoul warriors shared the joy of the victory with large numbers of supporters, who traveled to stay behind the team away from home, and congratulated all together on the great job of finally qualifying for the Asia´s premium club competition, 2009 AFC Champions League.
The Gunes side achieved its initial target. Now comes the league champions. As long as they continue to keep the unity in the team, they have nothing to fear.
We all behind the team now want to clap and applaud the Seoul warriors for their great job. |
