Kiatisuk: ‘HAGL never gives up’

“Today, we faced the strongest opponent in the group. HAGL players followed the rules, played aggressively, rolled and defended well despite some mistakes,” Kiatisuk said after the match. lost to Jeonbuk 0-1 in the third round of Group H on the evening of April 22. “We also had a lot of chances to score but we didn’t take them and had to pay with the last goal. It’s a pity to lose like that.”

Next to Jeonbuk, HAGL played tit-for-tat. Like the previous two matches, the home players created many chances, but the poor charm of the strikers prevented them from conceding the opponent’s net. When the match seemed to end in a goalless draw, the away team suddenly scored. From the broken header of midfielder HAGL, Seon-min picked up the ball and shot into the high corner to beat Tuan Linh in the second minute of injury time.

This defeat left HAGL at the bottom of Group H with only one point. However, Kiatisuk confirmed that the group stage is only halfway through, so HAGL still has many opportunities. “We will try every game and never give up,” he emphasized.

According to the Thai military leader, despite losing two and drawing one, HAGL still showed many positive signs in its first appearance in the AFC Champions League after 17 years. He said: “HAGL’s weakness in the last three matches is that the air combat is not good, because HAGL’s players are small. But in another aspect, we have promoted our strength of holding the ball, playing the ball in a narrow range well. The team learned a lot from the loss to Jeonbuk and will overcome its weaknesses in the future.”

In the first time he was given the captain’s armband, striker Nguyen Van Toan continuously caused a disturbance in the away team’s defense, but could not score. After the final whistle, Van Toan collapsed on the field, punched hard on the grass and took the captain’s armband from his hand to greet the audience. He said: “I just took off the captain’s armband, but didn’t throw it like many people think. In a match of this level, anyone can make mistakes, domestic or foreign players too. Foreign players HAGL’s team is still playing well, hopefully they will do better in the rest of the tournament.”

Won three points at the last minute, Jeonbuk coach Kim Sang Sik said: “I am satisfied with the three points. We deserved to win because we worked hard, continuously created many opportunities. Players must keep focus and foundation. Only fitness can score in injury time. Thanks to this victory, we have the advantage in Group H before entering the remaining matches.”

Duc Dong