AFC Women's Champions League
Tokyo Verdy’s 3-1 win against Melbourne City FC in the semi-finals on Wednesday meant Kusunose’s disappointment of failing to guide Urawa Red Diamonds Ladies past the last eight stage of the 2024/25 season can now be forgotten, with the tactician now focused on the title.
#AWCL | Semi-final: Melbourne City FC (AUS) 1-3 Tokyo Verdy Beleza (JPN)
“We’re happy to have won seamlessly,” said Kusunose. “Melbourne City are a strong and fast team but we were able to score early.
“After the two goals (in the opening 10 minutes), we sat back a little and the tactic backfired on us with the goal we conceded. Thankfully, we were able to regain control but that is a weakness in our game which we have to fix."
“After the two goals (in the opening 10 minutes), we sat back a little and the tactic backfired on us with the goal we conceded. Thankfully, we were able to regain control but that is a weakness in our game which we have to fix."
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“(Midfielder Yuzuho) Shiokoshi and I shared the bitterness because last year we couldn’t get to the semi-finals and we were motivated to do better this time.”
Shiokoshi, who was also with Urawa last season, starred against Melbourne, scoring the opening and third goals with Miharu Shinjo also on the scoresheet.
Shiokoshi, who was also with Urawa last season, starred against Melbourne, scoring the opening and third goals with Miharu Shinjo also on the scoresheet.
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For Melbourne, even though Aideen Keane’s goal momentarily put them back in the game, the Australian side never looked like they were going to find the next goal with head coach Michael Matricciani conceding that the better team won.
“We started quite poorly and conceded those two early goals. From there, it was a mountain to climb and it wasn’t to be,” said Matricciani.
“We started quite poorly and conceded those two early goals. From there, it was a mountain to climb and it wasn’t to be,” said Matricciani.
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“We’re really proud of our campaign here as well as we have achieved domestically. We’re excited that we’ve qualified again for next year. It has been a really great experience and we’re looking forward to getting back
“Last year, we made the final and were unlucky to lose. This season, we’ve done well but we come up against a very good side who are technically good. If we had a little bit more luck in our attacking third and set-pieces, it could have been closer but it wasn’t to be.”
“Last year, we made the final and were unlucky to lose. This season, we’ve done well but we come up against a very good side who are technically good. If we had a little bit more luck in our attacking third and set-pieces, it could have been closer but it wasn’t to be.”
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