Coming from its maiden win against China’s Beijing Guoan in the 2021 AFC Champions League, United City was brought back to earth with a 4-0 defeat at the hands of South Korea’s Daegu, Sunday evening at the Bunyodkor Stadium in Tashkent, Uzbekistan.
The result ensures that United City ends up at third place in Group I with four points while Daegu seals a second place finish with 12 points.
“A little bit disappointed with the result but I think if we look at the two games we’ve played in, they’re a lot better performances than the first games we’ve played in,” opined United City coach Jason Withe.
Daegu broke the floodgates in the first half after Tsubasa Nishi finished finely past United City goalkeeper Anthony Pinthus at the 37th minute.
Things then got worse for the four-time Philippines Football League champions after the break when they fell to two goals early in the second period.
South Korean forward Lee Keun-ho played a key part as he converted his teammate Hong Jeong-woon’s assist at the 48th minute and he then turned provider for Edgar Bruno da Silva, who calmly finished past Pinthus at the 58th minute.
Despite the game being already done and dusted, Daegu kept on pushing to add to its tally until the final whistle was sounded out. Substitute forward Jeong Chi-in added his name on the scoresheet with a cool finish at the 73rd minute.
“It’s a learning curve for us,” added Withe. “We’ve got to go away from this tournament and learn from it I think… I think the club are moving in the right direction.”
United City XI: Pinthus (GK), Maranon, O Nazari, Schrock ©, Minegishi, Baas, Dizon, Hartmann, Hwon, Marasigan, A Nazari.
Daegu XI: Choi Youngeun (GK), Hong Jongeun, Kim Jinhyuk ©, Edgar Bruno da Silva, Cesinha, Hwang Soonmin, Lee Keun-ho, Jang Sung Won, Tsubasa Nishi, Jo Jinwoo, Lee Yongrae.
