Urawa Reds, who suffered a come-from-behind loss in front of the furnace and even a player and manager's exit, was heartbroken.
Urawa lost 1-2 in the away match against Pohang Steelers in Group J of the 2023-24 Asian Football Confederation Champions League ACL at Pohang Steel Yard in Pohang on the 8th. Urawa, who had one win, one draw and two losses and remained on four points, fell to third place. Pohang ranks first with four wins 12 points.
Defending champion's fall is quite a shock. Machie Skorza was ordered off by referee Alireza Pagani after protesting furiously just before the end. In the 26th minute of the second half, Takahiro Akimoto also hit Ko Young-joon's shin and was sent off, fighting 10-11.
Coach Rafa Janas, who has replaced Skorza, who was sent off at the press conference, said, "I am disappointed with the result. I came to win and prepared well. He was good defensively against Pohang's counterattack and made good chances to score aggressively. In the second half, the atmosphere went strangely. I didn't check the exit and penalty. It is true that it has had a big impact on the game. He tried to overturn the game, but failed to overturn it. "I'm disappointed and I don't think it's a game to lose," he explained.
As for coach Skorza's departure, he said, "I don't know. He replied, "I could have received an earlier warning from the referee, but I don't understand the situation of the exit."
Urawa is almost thin to advance to the round of 16. The best way is to win the remaining two games and get a ticket to the round of 16 given to the top three teams out of the five groups, even if they finish second. The most important thing is to face Wuhan Sajeon China at home on the 29th. Next is Hanoi FC Vietnam. You must catch Wuhan. 안전놀이터
On the change in the 1-1 situation in the second half, Janas said, "After Akimoto's exit, I put in two strikers to win the game. He showed his determination to win. It created two crucial opportunities. Davan, there was space and he gave Pohang a come-from-behind goal. "I think it is difficult to advance to the round of 16 on my own," he concluded.