Osaka: Coach Kenta Hasegawa has stated that a home win for Gamba Osaka over Australia’s Melbourne Victory in Group G of the AFC Champions League on Wednesday would put the Japanese side in a strong early position to qualify for the next phase.
The 2015 semi-finalists opened their continental campaign with a goalless draw away at Suwon Samsung Bluewings in the opening round of fixtures last week, while Melbourne got off to a winning start by seeing off China’s Shanghai SIPG 2-1 at home.
Gamba, though, must bounce back from losing Sunday’s J.League opener 1-0 to Kashima Antlers.
“This home game is very important as we know if we can collect three points we will have made good progress in terms of qualifying for the next phase after drawing our first game away,” said Hasegawa, who will be without injured defender Daiki Niwa.
“Melbourne are a very well organised team, their players work hard and play collectively, and Besart Berisha and Kosta Barbarouses have good individual capability and speed so we must keep them at bay. But we will also play aggressively even though we have had a goalscoring drought recently.
“The teams in the tournament at this stage are champions or cup winners in their countries so this means they know how to win games, especially after going ahead, so scoring first will also be important for us.”
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A second half winner from Albanian Berisha helped Australian champions Melbourne secure all three points in their Group G opener against Shanghai last week after Jai Ingham had opened the scoring in the first half.
And after failing to get beyond the group stage in each of their four previous continental campaigns, Kevin Muscat’s side will know a win would put them in the perfect position to advance to the knockout phase for the first time.
“We have a fresh team and we had a very good start in winning the first game against Shanghai last week, but we respect Gamba because they are a very good team,” said Muscat.
“Gamba have always been very technical and possession based in their approach and general philosophy. We will be watchful of their forwards, but we are comfortable and have come here to create history.
“One point would be very nice, but three points would be excellent. We come here to win, our mentality remains the same whenever we play and we have very strong belief in ourselves.”
Photo: Lagardère Sports
Source: the-afc.com