AFC Champions League Level 2 Preview: Eastern coach promises to send out core players, Ratchaburi strives to score all three-pointers
6686 Sports reported on November 5 that in the fourth round of Group F of the AFC Champions League second-tier group match, the Hong Kong Chinese team Oriental will sit at the home team to face the challenge of the Thai team Ratchaburi.
In the seventh round of the Hong Kong Super League on November 1, the visiting team lost 0-1 to the Eastern District. The team’s performance in the league this season can be said to be quite sluggish. Japanese striker Yu Okubo has only scored 1 goal in the Hong Kong Super League so far, which is completely lacking in the style of the past. Currently, the team is in an unprecedented low ebb. With the signing of foreign players such as Carrion and Lorenz during the transfer window to prepare for the AFC Champions League second-tier competition, the Eastern midfield and backfield guards have become even more sluggish.
Before the game, Eastern coach Losada said in an interview: "The team is currently in a trough, but we will soon get out of it. The team's performance is not bad. We must stay calm and continue to be diligent. The recent downturn has nothing to do with the management's resource constraints. Last season's results were just overjoyed and cannot be blamed on others for the temporary trough. We will go all out. This time we return to the home team, we have enough rest time and can send out core players to fight."
Currently in the Hong Kong Super League standings, Dongfang currently ranks 8th in the league with 1 win, 2 draws and 3 losses, 5 points away from the top half and running position. This season, the team will most likely be dragged down by multi-front operations. In the previous AFC Champions League second-tier matches, Oriental lost to Gamba Osaka, Nam Dinh and Ratchaburi. The situation of qualifying is no longer optimistic. The next three group matches are more about relying on the AFC Champions League second-tier matches to complete the defeat.
In terms of lineup, Oriental foreign aid Felipe was injured after the Hong Kong FA Cup finals last season. Bolivian foreign aid Carrion entered the substitute area for the game against Gamba Osaka, and subsequently did not play.
Ratchaburi performed well in the Thai Super League this season. The team's 10th round of the Thai Super League was postponed due to the AFC Champions League. Therefore, the team's last league match was traced back to the 3-2 victory over Uthai Thani Forest on October 26. In this game, Ratchaburi did not play with all the core players. The foreign aid Negba, who was "crazy" in the AFC Champions League second-level competition, was on standby. However, Madagascar's top player Rakoto Harimalala made great contributions in passing and shooting. This season, he has scored 4 goals and provided 2 assists in the Thai Super League.
Before the game, Ratchaburi coach Limaka said: "We come with a clear goal and need to strive for three-pointers to advance to the knockout round. The East may field the strongest lineup, and we must warn the players to stay focused and never go low. Evaluate the opponent."
Currently in the Thai Super League standings, Ratchaburi currently ranks fourth in the league with 6 wins, 1 draw and 2 losses. It is 4 goals behind the top three and still has a chance to compete for the AFC Champions League this season. In the previous Thai Football Association match, Ratchaburi away team defeated Lopburi City 3-2. The team's foreign aid Tana and core player striker Pereira were not included in the squad, obviously to reserve their strength for this AFC Champions League second-tier event.
In the AFC Champions League second-tier group stage standings, Ratchaburi, which defeated Oriental, has temporarily maintained the same goal difference. It is currently 3 points behind Nam Dinh Green Steel. If it can win in the head-to-head dialogue with them, there is a chance to reverse the situation and reach the second place in the group and enter the knockout round, but the premise is to face Oriental quickly.
In terms of lineup, Ratchaburi's French defender Clinus is injured and absent, and young forward Fong Sakon is also temporarily unable to play. In addition, the team's core lineup remains basically intact.
In this game, Dongfang will strive to escape the vicious cycle of losing streak by relying on the home team's field advantage, and Ratchaburi's strength is obviously better. Can the team successfully score three-pointers in the away team's field?
