AFC Champions League Elite
A disciplined defensive display saw Chung's side hold Melbourne City FC to an away draw as debutants Gangwon advanced at the expense of fellow Korea Republic side and two-time winners Ulsan HD FC.
ACLElite | Melbourne City FC (AUS) 0-0 Gangwon FC (KOR)
Chung stressed that qualification was the primary objective.
“Although we didn’t manage to take all three points today, we achieved our objective of qualifying for the Round of 16,” said Chung. “That was our main target, and we accomplished what we set out to do."
“Although we didn’t manage to take all three points today, we achieved our objective of qualifying for the Round of 16,” said Chung. “That was our main target, and we accomplished what we set out to do."
“It was an away match, and we had a very long flight. There was fatigue and it was a difficult situation, but the players stayed united.
“They fought together and earned a valuable point, which helped us advance.I want to say a big thank you to our players. They showed great spirit and togetherness in a tough environment.”
Gangwon’s reward is a face-off with FC Machida Zelvia, with the debutant Japanese side finishing top of the East Zone League Stage.
“They fought together and earned a valuable point, which helped us advance.I want to say a big thank you to our players. They showed great spirit and togetherness in a tough environment.”
Gangwon’s reward is a face-off with FC Machida Zelvia, with the debutant Japanese side finishing top of the East Zone League Stage.
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For Melbourne City, who had already confirmed their qualification prior to kick-off, the focus was on maintaining momentum with head coach Aurelio Vidmar having mixed feelings about his side’s performance.
“It was a great achievement for us to finish in the top eight – finishing fifth is excellent,” said Vidmar. “We probably had the better chances to finish off the game. Overall, I was quite pleased."
“It was a great achievement for us to finish in the top eight – finishing fifth is excellent,” said Vidmar. “We probably had the better chances to finish off the game. Overall, I was quite pleased."
“We had a lot of energy. We were trying to do the right things and put them under pressure, and they’re a good team. At times we probably could have been a little bit cleaner with the ball which would have helped us progress into the final third.
“That probably put us under a little bit of pressure with the turnovers. But in general, I thought it was a pretty good result.”
Melbourne’s fifth place finish sets up a Round of 16 clash with Thailand’s Buriram United.
“That probably put us under a little bit of pressure with the turnovers. But in general, I thought it was a pretty good result.”
Melbourne’s fifth place finish sets up a Round of 16 clash with Thailand’s Buriram United.
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