HWANG EYES FURTHER CONTINENTAL PROGRESS FOR UNBEATEN POHANG

Coach Hwang Sun-hong is confident former winners Pohang Steelers will extend their unbeaten run in the AFC Champions League beyond the quarter-final stage despite facing last year’s finalists FC Seoul in this month’s all-Korean quarter-final.

Under the guidance of the former Korea Republic international, three-time Asian champions Pohang built on becoming the first side to win the Korean domestic double last season as the 2009 AFC Champions League winners secured a return to the continental quarter-finals for the first time since 2010 with the only remaining unbeaten record in the competition.

And after already having beaten domestic rivals and fellow former AFC Champions League champions Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors in the Round of 16, the Group E winners will entertain FC Seoul in the first leg of their quarter-final on August 20 at The Steelyard.

“FC Seoul have a lot of experience as they reached the final last year. But FC Seoul are weaker than last season so it will be possible for us to play well by passing the ball quickly and pushing forward,” said Hwang, who saw his side beat FC Seoul 1-0 at Seoul World Cup Stadium in April.

“We have experience of many matches with each other and so we know that we must be wary, but FC Seoul know that as well. They will analyse and prepare as much as we will, therefore we need to ensure we undergo intensive preparation.

“Although it is too early to make any hasty conclusions, we have confidence as we beat FC Seoul in Seoul earlier in the season.”

Last month, however, the pair shared a goalless draw in the K-League Classic at The Steelyard before FC Seoul won their FA Cup last 16 on penalties following a 2-2 draw.

And FC Seoul, despite struggling in the opening fixtures of the K-League Classic season, have performed well in the AFC Champions League after the Group F winners secured a fourth quarter-final appearance in six years by edging out Japan’s Kawasaki Frontale in the last 16.

“FC Seoul have great teamwork and I always thought they had sufficient qualities to reach the Round of 16 and then the quarter-finals. FC Seoul have many good players and they still have strength,” said Hwang, was part of the Pohang side who won back-to-back Asian Club Championship titles in 1996 and 1997.

“But we are not satisfied with just reaching the quarter-finals, and we will show our best in the competition to pay back our fans for their support.

“We want to be prepared for every match and I believe if we do our best in every match, we will achieve good results.”

Following the first leg in Pohang, the pair will switch to Seoul World Cup stadium a week later for the second leg, with either defending champions Guangzhou Evergrande or A-League Grand Finalists Western Sydney Wanderers waiting in the semi-finals.

Pohang, though, will be without attacking midfielder Lee Myung-joo after the 2012 K-League Rookie of the Year joined fellow AFC Champions League quarter-finalists Al Ain of the United Arab Emirates over the summer.

However, veteran midfielder Hwang Ji-soo is convinced that the side’s teamwork, rather than any one individual, at Pohang will be the key asset that can give them the edge over FC Seoul.

“The biggest reason for our success is the togetherness of our players. We have played together a lot and we can know what each other is thinking during the match just by eye-contact,” said the 33-year-old who has been on the books at Pohang since 2004.  

“I think the match against FC Seoul will be close, but we are confident and we have played and prepared well during the off-season.

“Winning the domestic double last year gave us a lot of confidence that we retain with us each time we play now. And we believe that the result of this will show on the pitch.”