Jeonbuk Hyundai is gearing up for a major counterattack.
Jeonbuk Hyundai will play the second leg of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Champions League 2 quarterfinals away match at Sydney Football Stadium in Australia on the 13th at 5 p.m. (Korean time). After losing the first leg 0-2, Jeonbuk is in a situation where they must win.
In the first leg held on the 6th at Yongin Mir Stadium, Jeonbuk suffered a disappointing defeat. From the early stages of the match, they launched a flank attack using Kim Tae-hwan and Jeon Jin-woo, but lacked finishing ability. In the 12th minute of the first half, Jeon Jin-woo connected with a header from Kim Tae-hwan's cross, but it did not lead to a goal.
Jeonbuk faced off against Companhia, who is known for his strong physicality. However, in the 35th minute of the first half, Sydney's Klimara struck the opening goal with a left-footed shot after receiving a pass from the back. In the 40th minute of the first half, Companhia attempted a header shot, but it was blocked by the opposing goalkeeper, preventing an additional goal.
As the second half began, Jeonbuk made changes. They substituted defender Kim Young-bin for Yeon Je-woon and, in the 11th minute of the second half, aggressively introduced Lee Seung-woo, Jeon Byeong-gwan, and Boateng all at once. However, in the 22nd minute of the second half, Klimara shook the net again with a right-footed shot from the front of the arc, extending Sydney's lead.
Jeonbuk strengthened their midfield by bringing in Kim Jin-kyu in the 31st minute of the second half, but ultimately failed to score, recording a 0-2 loss.
Determined to avenge their defeat, Jeonbuk departed for Sydney via Incheon International Airport on the 10th, arriving locally on the morning of the 11th. After resting in the morning, the team held their first training session at 5:30 p.m. (3:30 p.m. Korean time) on the 11th to adapt to the local conditions.
On the 12th at 6 p.m. (4 p.m. Korean time), Jeonbuk conducted their final training at Sydney Football Stadium, where the match will take place. The weather in Sydney was clear, with a temperature of 24°C, slightly warmer than the previous day.
This trip includes 19 players, including goalkeeper Kim Jeong-hoon, Kim Young-bin, Choi Woo-jin, Park Jin-seob, Lee Seung-woo, Kang Sang-yoon, Jeon Jin-woo, Park Jae-yong, Jin Tae-ho, Boateng, Ahn Hyun-beom, Kwon Chang-hoon, Choi Cheol-soon, Lee Young-jae, Jeon Byeong-gwan, Kim Tae-hyun, Gong Si-hyun, Yeon Je-woon, and Kim Jin-kyu.
Captain Park Jin-seob, along with Lee Seung-woo, Ahn Hyun-beom, Choi Cheol-soon, Lee Young-jae, Jeon Jin-woo, and Kwon Chang-hoon, all participated in the training without any problems, creating a positive atmosphere.
However, it is disappointing that key players, including starting forward Companhia, veteran midfielder Han Guk-young, and flank defender Kim Tae-hwan, are not on the roster for this trip. In the official press conference held that day, Gus Poyet, the coach of Jeonbuk, noted, "Companhia did not travel due to a minor injury. However, the players included in this trip also possess sufficient skill. We successfully completed tactical training, and all the players are prepared for victory."
He continued, "We also had to consider the upcoming weekend league match against Pohang. Players who have played many games recently were left in Jeonju. It was a difficult decision, but we carried out good training with the players who are currently with us."
Coach Poyet also mentioned the analysis of the opposing team. "We thoroughly analyzed before the first leg and reviewed again after the match. In particular, Kaseres' positioning was impressive, and Sydney's effort to gain numerical superiority in the midfield stood out," he stated, adding, "We will address these aspects and show better performance in the second leg."
During the press conference, Coach Poyet expressed regret that Jeonbuk Hyundai could not play at their home ground, Jeonju World Cup Stadium. He said, "If the condition of the stadium tomorrow is worse than our home stadium, that would not be fair." Recently, Sydney's home stadium has hosted events other than soccer, including rugby matches. A Sydney club official commented, "The grass condition should not be a major issue, but it may be slightly slippery."
Upon checking, it was noted that the grass density was insufficient, and there were noticeable areas that were worn down.
Meanwhile, Jeonbuk, which needs to overcome a two-goal deficit, is seeking a counterattack through strong pressure and quick transition play. The performance of attacking resources such as Lee Seung-woo, Jeon Jin-woo, and Boateng is essential. Additionally, how stable goalkeeper Kim Jeong-hoon and the defense can operate is also critical.
Attention is focused on whether Jeonbuk can create a dramatic turnaround on the road or whether Sydney will maintain its lead to reach the semifinals.
[OSEN = Sydney (Australia), Jung Seung-woo Reporter]