AFC Champions League - Sanfrecce’s Skibbe delighted to be back on track

Hiroshima: After one point from their previous two matches, it was no wonder head coach Michael Skibbe was pleased to see Japan’s Sanfrecce Hiroshima get back on the winning trail in the AFC Champions League Elite™ 2025/26 on Tuesday.

Sanfrecce defeated Korea Republic’s Gangwon FC 1-0, thanks to Mutsuki Kato’s second half goal but had to dig deep at the end after going down to 10 men following Sho Sasaki’s 69th minute red card.

#ACLElite | Sanfrecce Hiroshima (JPN) 1-0 Gangwon FC (KOR)

“The first half was not good by our standards,” said Skibbe. “The second half was much better, we put pressure on them and we had some good chances.

“Very happy with the goal, unlucky with the red card for Sasaki but with 10 players we showed a beautiful fight. Very important points to go up in the table.”

Having kicked off their campaign with a 2-0 victory over Australia’s Melbourne City FC, disappointment followed for Skibbe after watching Shanghai Port FC of China PR force a last-gasp 1-1 draw on Matchday Two.

Worse was to come the following matchday as Korea Republic’s Ulsan HD FC edged them 1-0 and Skibbe was relieved to get their campaign back on track against Gangwon.

“It was very important for us to get some points today because we were very unlucky in our last home game here against Shanghai Port, who scored with their only shot. We were also unlucky against Ulsan.

“For now, we’re very happy we are in a very good position in the table and we will try to get some more points in the remaining games.”

Next for Sanfrecce is a tough away encounter as they face China PR’s Chengdu Rongcheng FC on November 25.

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