Preview – Group H: Sydney FC (AUS) v Hoang Anh Gia Lai (VIE)
Sydney FC are braced for a tough challenge when they play hosts Hoang Anh Gia Lai in Group H of the AFC Champions League™ 2022 on Tuesday.
18/04/2022 15:57:53
Sydney opened their campaign with a goalless draw against Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors in a match they had ample opportunities to win, while HAGL impressed despite going down 2-1 to Yokohama F. Marinos.
Sydney head coach Steve Corica said HAGL, backed by their fans, will be challenging opponents.
“We are very excited to play the home team, they had a lot of supporters for the first match and it was a great atmosphere.
“They played very well against Yokohama and were a bit unlucky not to get a draw. It is going to be a hard match but we are looking forward to it,” said Corica.
Sydney were equally unlucky against Jeonbuk as they had at least three opportunities to put the game to bed, leaving Corica to express disappointment with the dropped points after the match.
The Australian side, however, have a chance to set things right on Tuesday and Corica expects his team to play their game and seal three points.
“There might be a couple of changes as we have to manage the players given that we will be playing a lot of matches but we are looking forward to playing against a strong team who have good Vietnam national team players and experienced foreigners.”
The match offers Rhyan Grant a chance to renew his rivalry with HAGL’s Vietnam national team players, with the right-back having scored Australia’s winning goal when the teams clashed in the AFC Asian Qualifiers – Road to Qatar™ last September.
“I was fortunate to score for Australia against Vietnam and I am looking forward to another battle with the Vietnam national team players in the HAGL squad.
“Having played in Vietnam helps me a bit but most of the Sydney players have experienced playing across Asia and we are looking forward to the match,” said Grant.
Nguyen Cong Phuong was one of the players Corica singled out as having impressed him but the attacking midfielder said he was more focused on how HAGL perform as a team.
“It will be another difficult match. We need points and for that, we have to follow the coach’s tactics and do our best,” said Cong Phuong.
Head coach Kiatisuk Senamuang said he expects another fighting performance from his HAGL players.
“Our target is points but more importantly, we want the players to enjoy the match. Having said that, they must fight till the end, just as they did against Yokohama,” said Kiatisuk.
Having conceded both goals to Yokohama set-pieces, Kiatisuk said attention has been paid on improving this aspect of HAGL’s game, with Sydney expected to pose a bigger physical threat.
“We have worked on defending set-pieces but the key thing is to play our game. We need points and that can only be achieved by playing our style.”
Sydney FC (AUS) v Hoang Anh Gia Lai (VIE)
Venue: San Van dong Thong Nhat Stadium, Ho Chi Minh City
Venue: San Van dong Thong Nhat Stadium, Ho Chi Minh City
Kick-off: 18:00 (UTC+7)
Source: AFC
