Mistakes in defense proved costly as United City received a 7-0 drubbing at the hands of South Korea’s Daegu in the 2021 AFC Champions League, early Wednesday morning (Manila time) at the Bunyodkor Stadium in Tashkent, Uzbekistan.
The result leaves United City to last place in Group I with one point after two matches while Daegu gets its first three points of the campaign.
“Obviously (we’re) very disappointed. You lose the game with a big number like that, it’s disappointing. I looked at the players (and) they were very disappointed as well,” said coach Jason Withe.
The reigning Filipino champions fell victim to the opener at the 23rd minute. Daegu forward Cesinha intercepted the ball outside the box and shot past goalie Anthony Pinthus for the opener.
It was a similar story at the 42nd minute as United City’s tactic of playing from the back allowed Daegu to find another means of scoring a goal. This time it was forward Edgar Bruno da Silva who received the ball at a dangerous position and he unleashed a fine strike at Pinthus’s expense to compound United City’s woes.
Just before the break, Daegu skipper Kim Jinhyuk headed the ball into the net at the 45+3 minute to rub salt into the Withe’s players’ wounds. Mistakes at defense were the theme for the Filipino side in the first 45 minutes despite having 57 percent possession.
Substitute forward An Yongwoo added his name to the scoresheet at the 62nd minute after he curled his free-kick past Pinthus with his left foot. Yongwoo added another goal at the 72nd minute from close range.
Two more substitutes, Park Hanbin and Jeong Chiin added the sixth goal and seventh goals for Daegu at the 90th minute and 90+5 minute with a tap-in and penalty respectively.
“There are certain aspects (of the game) that I was pleased with. We still tried to play our football. It wasn’t the case where we’re 4-0, 5-0 behind, we’ll just try to play long balls. We still tried to play football,” furthered Withe.
Next for United City is a date against Kawasaki Frontale this Friday at 10:00 PM Manila time in the same venue.
Daegu XI: Choi Youngeun (GK), Hong Jeongun, Kim Jinhyuk ©, Edgar Bruno da Silva, Cesinha, Hwang Soomin, Lee Keunho, Park Byung Hyun, Jang Sung Won, Tsubasa Nishi, Lee Yongrae.
United City XI: Pinthus (GK), Kane, Maranon, Ott, O Nazari, Schrock ©, Minegishi, Baas, Ingham, Hwon, A Nazari.
