At the Benyodko Stadium in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, a pre-match press conference kicked off at 2:20 p.m. on July 1 in the 3rd round of AFC Champions League Group I between Beijing Guoan and Daegu FC.
Jankovic, the head coach of the National Team, put it bluntly, "We are a dynamic young team and the strength in the group should not be underestimated. Even against strong first team opponents, we can rise to the occasion."
Speaking about the preparation, Jankovic emphasized, "Tomorrow will be our 3rd group match against a strong opponent. Even though we are a young team, we will try to perform at our best. In terms of overall strength, our group is relatively outstanding and we will face stiff competition even if we play with our starting lineup."
For the young players, this kind of tough challenge is a kind of sharpening. Jankovic is confident: "No matter what the final score is, after this kind of exercise, the players will be more confident and show more dominance against any opponent when they return home. Although we suffered a tough loss in the last game, all the players have done a great job in physical adjustment and mental recovery, and I believe the team will meet the next challenge with a new mental outlook and physical condition."
In response to the 0-7 loss to Kawasaki in the last round, Jankovic explained, "The opponent was really strong and we had a post-match recovery yesterday. We watched videos and analyzed our next opponent. From the mental level of the players, they have taken off the pressure, have a relaxed mindset and are fully prepared for the next game."
In terms of technical and tactical aspects, Jankovic said: "We have been practicing and honing a set formation and style of play in previous years, but we need to be flexible and adjust when facing such a strong opponent in the AFC Champions League. From the first two games, the players are more comfortable with the formation they have been using before. We have spent several years using the 433 formation and will continue to use this mature style of play tomorrow. Under this system, the players are clear about their positions and responsibilities and I believe they will play at their best."
Team member Chen Yan Park said, "This race will be full of challenges. Today is the 100th anniversary of the founding of our Communist Party and I hope we can finish this match with the willpower and quality that is unique to China. Kawasaki Striker is one of the best in Asia, and their pace of play is different from our previous matches, it's very fast. I was impressed by their interspersed running, which is something we have to learn from in the future."
