The first matches of the knockout stage, which are in the second leg of the 16th round in the AFC Champions League 2015, will be held on 26 and 27 May 2015. Both Kashiwa Reysol and Gamba Osaka, who won their away matches last week, could still become quarterfinalists, even if they lose the coming home matches, depending on the scores.

Kashiwa will meet Suwon Samsung FC from Korea, whom they beat in the first leg 3-2 on 19 May.

Although Kashiwa conceded a goal at the beginning of the game against Suwon, the players gathered themselves up quickly to attack back. After 12 minutes, the midfielder BARADA Akimi struck a goal levelling the game. The forward Leandro scored through a penalty kick in the 29th minute, and then after 56 minutes, he scored once more, building a two-goal lead. However, Kashiwa then came under pressure. Suwon’s midfielder YEOM KI HUN, who had ‘unique accuracy and timing’, just as the midfielder OTANI Hidekazu described beforehand, initiated the attack. Then the forward CHONG TESE, who plays for the North Korea national football team, sank a shot, followed by another goal by YEOM just before the last whistle. Despite the struggle, Japan managed to win the game 3-2 in the end.

From the knockout stage onwards, the ‘away-goal system’ applies, in which goals in away games will be counted as double scores if the match ends in a draw. Kashiwa have an advantage with three goals in the away game if they tie in the coming return leg. Their record against Suwon is two wins, no losses and one draw, and against the Korean team in Hitachidai is three wins, no loss and one draw, which all helps Kashiwa to advance to the quarterfinals.

However, the players have to keep their eyes on YEOM, who scored a goal and assisted one in the first match, and the forward Leo and CHONG, who came off the bench and impacted the game. Suwon have scored in every match apart from one in the ACL7. Moreover, as they did not have any match in the K League Classic during the weekend, they have had plenty of time to prepare themselves. They might initiate fierce attacks from the beginning of the match. Kashiwa will be required to defend patiently not to let the opponent play freely.

YOSHIDA Tatsuma, head coach of Kashiwa, noted about becoming the quarterfinalist for the first time since 2013: ‘no one thinks we have won yet.’ Leandro also commented: ‘we’re only half way through. I’d like to focus on the coming match to win.’

Gamba vs. FC Seoul

On the other hand, Gamba Osaka won the game 3-1 against FC Seoul in the first match on 20 May. In the first half of the away game, they played in the five-back formation to defend solidly against any counter-attacks initiated from the defender Cha Du Ri, who plays for the national team. Gamba stayed patient and focused. After 63 minutes, the forward USAMI Takashi struck the opener and picked up the pace, showing off his finishing skills.

Twice the defender FUJIHARU Hiroki ran through the left wing to pass crosses. USAMI received the first one for the opener, and the defender YONEKURA Koki reacted to the second one to score in the 74th minute. Then after 86 minutes, USAMI, who receive a through pass from the midfielder ENDO Yasuhito, once more found the back of the net.

Although the forward of FC Seoul Yun Jutae, who came off the bench that day, scored a goal just before the last whistle, Gamba, just like Kashiwa, have gained an advantage of three goals in the away match.

Their record against FC Seoul is two wins and one loss. In the second leg, the Spanish defender Osmar Barba, who was suspended for the first match due to yellow cards, will be back on the pitch to add solidity and height to their defensive line. There will also be the Colombian midfielder Mauricio Molina, who comes off the bench as an impact sub.

FC Seoul is lead by the head coach Choi Yong Soo, who used to play as a forward for the South Korea national football team and shows aggressive plays. They have always stayed until the quarterfinals in the ACL, including in 2013 when they took second place. Just like Suwon, as FC Seoul did not play in the K League Classic during the weekend, they prepared themselves well before arriving in Osaka for the coming away match.

Although some of Gamba’s defenders have picked up injuries, HASEGAWA Kenta, the head coach, will not change his style, commenting: ‘we have to stay strong near the ball and cope with the pace to play properly against the Korean team.’ USAMI also noted: ‘we’d like to stay aggressive to win the game despite our goals in the away match.’

The game between Kashiwa and Suwon Samsung FC will kick-off at 19:00 on 26 May and the one between Gamba Osaka and FC Seoul at 19:00 on 27 May.

AFC Champions League 2015

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