24 Sep 2007(Mon)

Tokyo, September 21, 2007: Both Japanese clubs achieved satisfactory results in the first leg of their Asian Champions League quarter-finals on Wednesday night.

Reds won 2-1 at home to Jeonbuk, Motors, while Frontale came back from Iran with a 0-0 draw against Sepahan.

Reds were the better team for long periods against the Koreans, who looked uncharacteristically sluggish and distinctly second best in all aspects of the game.

Until, that is, Robson Ponte went off with 10 minutes to go. This is when I thought Reds lost the initiative and the momentum, and Jeonbuk were able to raise their game and snatch one at the end against a Reds team that had started to panic.

Still, as manager Osieck said, Reds won the match – and he insisted they would be aggressive in the second leg. Even though a 1-0 victory for the Koreans would be enough to get them through to the semi-finals on the away goals rule, Reds surely have enough firepower to score again.

As for Frontale, they still have a lot of work to do against Sepahan at Todoroki.

A goalless draw away from home in the first leg was a good result for Frontale – but it must be remembered that it was not a bad result for Sepahan, either.

In the first leg, the home team did not concede a goal, and this could prove crucial in the return.

While Frontale will start as favourites, the Iranians remain extremely dangerous because if they score once, then Frontale will need two. The first goal at Todoroki will be vital, and Frontale must be careful they do not get caught on the counter if they try and kill the game too quickly.

It will be interesting to see Frontale’s tactics; whether they go for broke from the start and risk conceding a goal, or whether they play patiently and conservatively in trying to unlock the Sepahan defence. As I said before, a 0-0 draw at home for Sepahan in the first leg is far from a bad result, as the pressure will be on the home team in the second leg to force the pace.

On the face of it, the first-leg results looked good for Japan – but a lot can still happen in the second 90 minutes.

ends