Tokyo: Coach Hiroshi Jofuku is banking on his FC Tokyo side making a belated start to their 2016 AFC Champions League campaign with the visit of Vietnamese champions Becamex Binh Duong in Tuesday’s Group E encounter.
Having thrashed Thailand’s Chonburi 9-0 in the play-offs, FC Tokyo opened their second group stage appearance in the AFC Champions League last week with a 2-1 defeat to 2006 winners Jeonbuk Motorsof Korea Republic.
And with the Koreans now the early Group E leaders after Binh Duong shared a 1-1 draw with Jiangsu FCin Vietnam, Jofuku is hopeful that his team will bounce back and earn their first three points in what is already a vital tie.
“As we lost the first match against Jeonbuk, we definitely have to win the game tomorrow in order to get through the group stage,” said FC Tokyo coach Jofuku (pictured), who saw his side begin their J.League campaign with a 1-0 defeat to newly-promoted Omiya Ardija on Saturday.
“We have played three official matches this season so far, and our players have had a good try on each game to do what we are working on and take the initiative of the game. However, our priority is always about winning, and I am not at all satisfied with the way we are doing so far.
“Binh Duong earned a point against a strong side in Jiangsu. They have patience and very good counters and that is one of their weapons. So, we should never underestimate them. In addition, if they score first they can rely on their strong defence and it could be a serious problem.”
The Vietnamese visitors will, however, be without Cameroonian forward Christian Amougou who was sent-off after 68 minutes in their stalemate with Jiangsu.
“Christian’s suspension is very costly as he is a very strong player for us,” said Binh Duong coach Nguyen Thanh Son.
“It was rather disappointing to lose in in the second half against Jiangsu as I felt we could have won the game with 11 men. However, for the match against FC Tokyo, we have other strong players to use as options, so I hope we will be alright.
“Our strength is the hard work of our players and on top of that most of our players have been together for a long time, so that they can understand each other pretty well on the pitch.”
One of those players, Vietnam icon Le Cong Vinh, is on familiar shores having spent a loan spell with Japanese club Consadole Sapporo in 2013.
“We have learned about not only FC Tokyo but also other Japanese sides through Le Cong Vinh and we know that they are very strong,” added Thanh Son.
“It’s not just about winning or losing; it’s about doing our best and putting our all into the game first and foremost.”
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