Urawa Red Diamonds, aiming to reach the final for the first time in 10 years, will face the Chinese outfit, Shanghai SIPG, at home in the second leg of the AFC Champions League (ACL) 2017 on Wednesday 18 October.

The Japanese and Chinese sides squared off against each other twice in the group stage, where they shared the spoils with an even record of one win and one loss. After drawing 1-1 in the first leg of the semi-final tie by scoring an away goal in Shanghai at the end of last month, Urawa are set to play the second leg at home.

The official press conference took place at the match site, Saitama Stadium 2002, on Tuesday 17 as coaches and players from both teams spoke on their aspirations for the coming match.

Coaches' ans Player's Comments

HORI Takafumi, Coach (Urawa Red Diamonds)
Since we are the only Japanese team left in the ACL 2017, we are faced with the responsibility of considering ourselves as a team that are representing Japan as well. Our opponents, Shanghai SIPG, are a great team, but I’m certain that we have already proven ourselves as a formidable team in the past encounters as well. It is an advantage that we can play tomorrow at our home stadium in Saitama. For all of our fans coming to the stadium as well as the people who have been supporting the team, I hope we can come up with a win and bring joy to all of them. Our motivation for winning the ACL is very high. We will show it on the pitch tomorrow and advance to the final.

ENDO Wataru (Urawa Red Diamonds)
There is no doubt it will be a difficult game, but it will be held at home and our fans will create a perfect atmosphere tomorrow in support of our team. With them behind us, I’m determined to bring out the best of my abilities to grab a win and reach the final.

André VILLAS-BOAS, Coach (Shanghai SIPG)
Tomorrow’s match must be a special one for both Shanghai SIPG and Urawa Red Diamonds. We will try our best and hopefully advance to the final. All being considered, I expect a wonderful game tomorrow as well. We will go out aggressively and attack in order to get an away goal, since we conceded one in the first leg. Urawa Reds are a good team, but we will go all out to win it as well.

Tournament Period：24 January 2017 (Tue.) ～ 25 November 2017 (Sat.)

Semi-final 2nd Leg
18 Ocotber 2017(Wed.) Kick-off 19:30 (estimated time) Saitama Stadium２００２
Urawa Red Diamonds (Japan) vs Shanghai SIPG (China)

For Tournament Information