WESTERN SYDNEY SEEK HOME COMFORTS

Coach Tony Popovic is banking on Western Sydney Wanderers’ strong home record in the AFC Champions League this season as the A-League side seek to extend their maiden continental campaign by overturning a 3-1 deficit in Wednesday’s last 16 second leg against J.League champions Sanfrecce Hiroshima.

Naoki Ishihara scored twice for Hiroshima last week, although Tomas Juric’s 75^th minute penalty gives Group H winners Western Sydney hope they can follow in the footsteps of 2008 finalists Adelaide United who also reached the last eight two years ago.

And with Western Sydney having beaten Japan’s Kawasaki Frontale and China’s Guizhou Renhe at Parramatta Stadium in the AFC Champions League this season, Popovic is backing his side to secure a place in the quarter-finals despite Kosei Shibasaki netting in stoppage time last week to extend Hiroshima’s advantage.

“We’ve got the away goal we wanted, which is important. It was just unfortunate and a little bit disappointing for us that we conceded very soft goal right at the end of the game,” said Western Sydney coach Popovic after the first leg at Hiroshima Athletic Stadium.

“I think 2-1 would have been a good result for us going back home. This makes it more difficult for us, but we have a good record back home in front of our fans. We still believe we can go through.”

J.League champions Hiroshima are also appearing in the knockout stage for the first time after Hajime Moriyasu’s side finished second in Group F behind 2013 finalists FC Seoul despite suffering a 2-1defeat by Central Coast Mariners in Australia.

FC Seoul, meanwhile, will look to continue to defy poor domestic form and secure a second consecutive quarter-final appearance by defending their 3-2 first leg advantage against Japan’s Kawasaki at Seoul World Cup Stadium.

“Kawasaki Frontale gave us a lot of difficulty with all their attacking options. However, despite the tough competition the home side gave us, I always thought we would have a good opportunity to get the win,” said FC Seoul coach Choi Yong-soo after seeing Yun Il-lok’s stoppage time strike secure a 3-2 comeback win at Kawasaki Todoroki Stadium last Wednesday.

“However, despite this good result, we have achieved nothing but simply completed the first leg of this Round of 16 game, and there is still another match to go.

“The important thing now is to plan a good preparation for my team and get ready for the second leg in Seoul.”

Elsewhere, Saudi Arabia’s Al Hilal entertain Uzbekistan’s Bunyodkor in possession of a one-goal advantage from the first leg, while 2011 winners Al Sadd travel to Iran to face domestic champions Foolad Khouzestan following a goalless draw in Doha last week.

Salem Al Dawsari scored the only goal at Pakhtakor Stadium last week to hand two-time Asian Club Championship winners Al Hilal the edge ahead of the return fixture at King Fahd International Stadium.

Al Sadd, meanwhile, have it all to do at Ghadir Stadium in Ahwaz after failing to make use of home advantage in Doha against a Khouzestan side who are making their first appearance in the knockout stage.