In the post-match press conference after Nanjing City's 2-0 win over Qingdao Hainiu in the 1/8th final of the F.A.C.A. Cup, head coach Fabio Cortez spoke highly of his team's performance and gave a detailed analysis of the tactical deployment and execution of the game.
Cortez first recognized the team's excellent performance in the first half, noting, "We prepared well for this game, knowing that Qingdao Hainiu is a strong opponent, and their style of play may leave us some openings. Fortunately, we are a team that is good at controlling the ball, and good at finding openings in the ball to create opportunities. In the first half, our players performed very well both tactically and technically, and not only managed to capitalize on their chances to take the lead, but also continued to look for good opportunities to extend the lead after the 2-0 scoreline."
Speaking about the tactical adjustments made at halftime, Cortez confessed, "Even though we took the lead in the first half, I was well aware that 2-0 was not a safe score. Therefore, during the halftime break, I purposely reminded the players to stay alert and made some tactical adjustments. In the second half, we paid more attention to the solidity of our defense and reduced the space for the opponent's attack by contracting our formation, while waiting for the chance of counterattack. I was pleased to see that our players did a very efficient job on the defensive end and hardly left the other team with too many opportunities to score, which ensured that our win was not extended."
Cortez gave full recognition to the team's overall performance: "I would like to congratulate my players for their excellent performance tonight. Both in offense and defense, they showed a high level of professionalism and team spirit. At the same time, I would also like to thank the fans who traveled a long way to support us and the club leaders who have been giving us great support. It is your support and encouragement that gives us even more conviction and motivation to win every game."
Looking ahead, Cortez said, "This victory means a lot to us, it not only allows us to successfully advance to the last 8 of the F.A.C. Cup, but also strengthens the team's self-confidence and cohesion. Next, we will continue to train hard, constantly improve our technical and tactical level, and be well prepared for the next matches."
