The battle is on! 2021 AFC Champions League Group Stage Second Round
Gunpowder in the air as Guoan takes on Kawasaki
Time: 2021.6.30 00:00 (Beijing time)
Venue: Lokomotiv Stadium, Tashkent
Guoan coach Jankovic was joined by player Guo Quanbo at a tense pre-match press conference.
Facing the upcoming opponent Kawasaki Frontale, Jankovic said: "Tomorrow is our second match in the AFC Champions League, and the strength of the opponent should not be underestimated. Even with a first-team squad, it's hard to guarantee a win. I expect my players to fight hard and show what they have learned in training."
Speaking about how to keep the team focused, Jankovic said, "Keeping our focus is a big challenge for us, especially at the highest level in Asia. If we can keep our focus all over the field, we may be able to bring some surprises. The young players are inexperienced, but that's normal. We will do our best to help them, especially in defense where we have to stay focused."
In the closing stages of the first match, the Guoan juniors suffered from cramps, and the media asked Jankovic how he would adjust the players' fitness. He responded: "It is true that cramps at the end of the game will cause disruption to the game, but I think it is also very common in domestic matches with opponents of the same age. The AFC Champions League is the top tournament in Asia, and both the intensity of the game and the psychological expectations of the players are different from the past. I don't think there is a problem with our team's fitness, but how to adjust the players' mentality and teach them to distribute their fitness reasonably during the 90 minutes is what our coaching staff needs to consider."
Guo Quanbo attended the pre-match conference with Jankovic, and when talking about the whole team's mentality, he said, "Participating in the AFC Champions League, our whole team is in a learning mindset. The opportunity to participate in such a high level of competition is rare, everyone should cherish."
As an experienced "old" member of the team, Guo Quanbo revealed how he helps his teammates both inside and outside the game: "The opponents in the AFC Champions League are very strong, and as a goalkeeper, I need to direct the defense and keep my teammates' attention in the defense. Outside the game, I hope all the players can enjoy such a high level tournament and show their strength."
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