AFC Champions League Two - Talay: Return to basics powered Sydney past Jeonbuk

Sydney: Head coach Ufuk Talay credited Sydney FC’s mentality shift for their amazing comeback against Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors in their AFC Champions League Two™ 2024/25 quarter-final second leg on Thursday.

Jeonbuk had drawn level on aggregate after a scintillating first saw the Korea Republic side take a 2-0 lead, only for Sydney to do the same after the break as the Australian side won 3-2 on the night and 5-2 on aggregate to set up a semi-final against Singapore’s Lion City Sailors in April.

Alex Grant, Patryk Klimala and Douglas Costa scored to wipe out Jeon Jin-woo’s brace with Talay effusive in his praise.

#ACLTwo | QF, 2nd Leg: Sydney FC (AUS) 3-2 (5-2 AGG) Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors FC (KOR)

“I think it goes back to the old cliché, a game of two halves. I wasn’t happy with our mental attitude in the first half,” said Talay. “I felt the boys were trying to protect the two-goal lead rather than play our natural game, pressing high, and dictating play.

“At half-time, we addressed that and made the necessary adjustments. Once we returned to playing our way – dictating the game both with and without the ball – we saw a significant improvement.

“We were braver in possession, which allowed us to capitalise on opportunities.”

Costa, whose goal sealed Sydney’s comeback, reflected on his growing comfort within the squad.

“At the start, it was tough to adjust to the shape and intensity of the league, but our staff did a fantastic job in managing my minutes in key games,” said Costa.

“Now, I feel like I’m in the right rhythm. It was a long trip to Asia, but we scored a lot of goals, and that makes us proud. We’re looking forward to the next challenge.”

Jeonbuk head coach Gustavo Poyet admitted his side was outplayed in the second half.

“The players executed exactly what we wanted to do, and we scored the goals that put us in a situation where everything that had happened before no longer mattered,” said Poyet.

“But after the break, everything changed. We conceded three times and we stopped playing. I needed a timeout, like in basketball — a chance to come over, talk to the players. It was hard to take, but it was a game of two halves.”

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