
AFC Champions League Elite
The-AFC.com takes a look at what the teams had to say after a thoroughly thrilling Matchday One of the League Stage.
“I received excellent responses from all the players I called upon. After two matches, we have six points, which was our objective, and we are happy.”
Simone Inzaghi praised his players after Al Hilal SFC held off a spirited PFC Nasaf for a 3-2 win.
"The result was not satisfying, but the players’ performance was excellent. They played exactly the way I wanted, both defensively and offensively."
Head coach Dragan Skocic was pleased despite his Tractor FC side settling for a share of the points with Al Wahda FC.
Simone Inzaghi praised his players after Al Hilal SFC held off a spirited PFC Nasaf for a 3-2 win.
"The result was not satisfying, but the players’ performance was excellent. They played exactly the way I wanted, both defensively and offensively."
Head coach Dragan Skocic was pleased despite his Tractor FC side settling for a share of the points with Al Wahda FC.
“The team earned a deserved victory after imposing a clear advantage over our opponents throughout the match, through good defensive organisation and creating numerous scoring opportunities.”
Captain Yacine Brahimi hailed Al Gharafa SC's performance in their 2-0 win over Al Shorta, as the Qatari side bounced back from their Matchday One defeat.
“We earned a point against the Asian champions and a major club on the continent, but it wasn't the result we hoped for. With all due respect to our opponents, we were looking for a win and we deserved it.”
Al Duhail SC head coach Djamel Belmadi did not hide his frustration after his team settled for a draw with defending champions Al Ahli Saudi FC.
Captain Yacine Brahimi hailed Al Gharafa SC's performance in their 2-0 win over Al Shorta, as the Qatari side bounced back from their Matchday One defeat.
“We earned a point against the Asian champions and a major club on the continent, but it wasn't the result we hoped for. With all due respect to our opponents, we were looking for a win and we deserved it.”
Al Duhail SC head coach Djamel Belmadi did not hide his frustration after his team settled for a draw with defending champions Al Ahli Saudi FC.
“We need to improve our performance. I made several changes during the game, some of them forced, and we wanted to increase the pressure on our opponents. We didn’t achieve the result we wanted."
Head coach Felix Sanchez challenged his players to lift their performance after Al Sadd SC were held to a 1-1 draw by Sharjah FC.
“I am proud of the players' performance. The team spirit that has been building since last season was evident. The most important thing was the players' understanding of the technical strategy."
Head coach Paulo Sousa did not back in praising his players after said Shabab Al Ahli defeated Al Ittihad Club 1-0.
Head coach Felix Sanchez challenged his players to lift their performance after Al Sadd SC were held to a 1-1 draw by Sharjah FC.
“I am proud of the players' performance. The team spirit that has been building since last season was evident. The most important thing was the players' understanding of the technical strategy."
Head coach Paulo Sousa did not back in praising his players after said Shabab Al Ahli defeated Al Ittihad Club 1-0.
“We went a goal down from a corner, which was disappointing. At half-time, we felt we were a little indecisive in our belief to keep the ball, and too many passes didn’t find the target. But credit to the team, the second half was much better. We caused problems, created overloads in midfield and gained more control.”
Head coach Kevin Muscat was delighted with how Shanghai Port FC rebounded to hold Sanfrecce Hiroshima to a draw.
"Even before the match we talked about how it wouldn’t be easy, but I think everyone gave 100 percent and that’s one of the reasons we were able to play such a great game.”
Choi Jun paid tribute to his teammates after FC Seoul cruised to a 3-0 win over Buriram United.
Head coach Kevin Muscat was delighted with how Shanghai Port FC rebounded to hold Sanfrecce Hiroshima to a draw.
"Even before the match we talked about how it wouldn’t be easy, but I think everyone gave 100 percent and that’s one of the reasons we were able to play such a great game.”
Choi Jun paid tribute to his teammates after FC Seoul cruised to a 3-0 win over Buriram United.
“It was our first home game, so I am very happy that we were able to get these three points and give our fans victory. This has always been our goal and our dream is to bring Chengdu into the AFC Champions League Elite."
Captain Tim Chow called it a ‘dream moment’ after Chengdu Rongcheng FC marked their first home appearance in the AFC Champions League Elite with victory over Gangwon FC.
“This is the first time Machida played away in an international match so we needed to be strong and be aggressive."
Go Kuroda viewed the goalless stalemate with Johor Darul Ta’zim FC as a point earned rather than two dropped by FC Machida Zelvia.
Captain Tim Chow called it a ‘dream moment’ after Chengdu Rongcheng FC marked their first home appearance in the AFC Champions League Elite with victory over Gangwon FC.
“This is the first time Machida played away in an international match so we needed to be strong and be aggressive."
Go Kuroda viewed the goalless stalemate with Johor Darul Ta’zim FC as a point earned rather than two dropped by FC Machida Zelvia.
“I’ve often come on as a substitute and while I’ve had chances, I wasn’t really able to score. Even when starting, I felt my performance was lacking, so today I was determined to deliver through a goal or an assist."
Koya Yuruki was glad to have repaid his coach’s faith in by scoring the winning goal for Vissel Kobe against Melbourne City FC.
“I think the players did well in adapting quickly to the intensity of the game. We also created a lot of chances. Unfortunately we didn't get all three points today, but I'm satisfied with the players' performance.”
Head coach Leonid Slutskiy had no issues with the competitiveness of his Shanghai Shenhua FC side in their 1-1 draw with Ulsan HD FC.
Koya Yuruki was glad to have repaid his coach’s faith in by scoring the winning goal for Vissel Kobe against Melbourne City FC.
“I think the players did well in adapting quickly to the intensity of the game. We also created a lot of chances. Unfortunately we didn't get all three points today, but I'm satisfied with the players' performance.”
Head coach Leonid Slutskiy had no issues with the competitiveness of his Shanghai Shenhua FC side in their 1-1 draw with Ulsan HD FC.
