AFC Champions League Two
Muhsen Al Ghassani scored twice in the first half as the Thai side increased their aggregate advantage to four, with Australia's Macarthur only being able to draw level on the night, which was Totchtawan's only disappointment.
#ACLTwo | R16 (2nd Leg): Macarthur FC (AUS) 2-2 Bangkok United (THA)
“We knew the home side would press very aggressively, so we prepared our tactics to exploit specific spaces. The players executed well in those areas and both of our goals came from situations we had prepared for,” said Totchtawan.
“By the end of the first half, the two-goal advantage gave us a bit more comfort. If we hadn’t scored those two early goals, the second half would have been much more difficult."
“By the end of the first half, the two-goal advantage gave us a bit more comfort. If we hadn’t scored those two early goals, the second half would have been much more difficult."
“We knew Macarthur were capable of applying strong pressure in the areas they target. We tried to defend properly, but we lost concentration. They have physical presence, strong aerial ability and deliver accurate crosses – and that’s how they managed to equalise."
For Macarthur, it was a case of near misses as Mile Sterjovski was left to reflect on a sluggish start that ultimately proved decisive.
“I don’t think 2-0 was too bad in itself. It was more about the way we started and conceding after three or four minutes. I think that’s where the real damage was done, because from that moment it became much harder for us,” said Sterjovski.
“We’re obviously disappointed. I have to say the boys gave everything tonight. Maybe we just lacked a little bit of quality in the final third. We came up against a good team who took the two chances they had. It was always going to be difficult trying to come back from 2-0 in the first leg.”
“I don’t think 2-0 was too bad in itself. It was more about the way we started and conceding after three or four minutes. I think that’s where the real damage was done, because from that moment it became much harder for us,” said Sterjovski.
“We’re obviously disappointed. I have to say the boys gave everything tonight. Maybe we just lacked a little bit of quality in the final third. We came up against a good team who took the two chances they had. It was always going to be difficult trying to come back from 2-0 in the first leg.”
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