Defeat in Asian Champions League final ‘will affect Jeonbuk players’

South Korea’s Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors host Al Ain on Saturday in the first leg of the Asian Champions League final. Manager Choi Kang-hee spoke to the media on Friday at the Jeonju World Cup Stadium.

Mixed fortunes in Asia showpiece Like Al Ain, Jeonbuk are contesting their third Champions League final. Like Al Ain, they won their first, in 2006, but lost their second when they were defeated five years later at home by Qatar's Al Sadd on penalties. Choi was managing Jeonbuk for both ties and, understandably, the loss in 2011 still rankles.

Avenging 2011 heartache "In 2011, the team were not able to grab the trophy even though it was a home game," Choi said. "That defeat became a nightmare every day for the past five years. And now, there is an opportunity to seize the championship. The players know the importance of the game very well. We know we have to win, for the fans and the club. We have this desire and desperation to win the trophy this year."

Tapping into 2006 success "Back in 2006, the Jeonbuk team were able to win the trophy," Choi said of the victory against Syria's Al Karamah. "Back then, Jeonbuk were not the top team in South Korea. However, we faced every match like a final and managed to win the trophy. On the way to the stadium, that memory came into my mind, to memorise all the good things from 2006."

Stopping Omar Abdulrahman "It is true that Omar is a key player for Al Ain. He is definitely a threat to Jeonbuk," Choi said of this year's Asian player-of-the-year nominee. "We have options to defend against him, such as man-marking, etc, but it is not only him. All Al Ain's forwards are threats. So we are trying to build a defensive chemistry to defend against the attacking force of Al Ain."

Rebounding from domestic disappointment Jeonbuk relinquished their K League Classic crown on the final day of the season earlier this month, following a bribery scandal that led to them being docked nine points. Choi said: "We have gone through all the tournaments, domestically and the Champions League, for almost 10 months. Not winning the title will not affect the players as they know the importance of the Champions League final. What is more important is the players showing what they are capable of."

Also from John McAuley in South Korea:

Big interview: Lee Myung-joo's target before home return

Zlatko Dalic: Biggest match of Al Ain players' careers

Comment: Al Ain players will do well to play match, not final

Opposition research: All you need to know about Jeonbuk, plus more

jmcauley@thenational.ae

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