We will not give up, says Damjanovic
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E-mail China.org.cn, October 30, 2013
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Dejan Damjanovic of FC Seoul and Zheng Zhi of Guangzhou Evergnrade fought for the ball in the first leg of the AFC Champions League final. |
Striker Dejan Damjanovic has promised Korean champions FC Seoul will produce the same level of intensity in the second leg of the AFC Champions League final despite China's Guangzhou Evergrande seemingly taking command of the tie following last week's draw.
Montenegrin international Damjanovic equalised with seven minutes remaining at Seoul World Cup Stadium to rescue FC Seoul a 2-2 first leg draw after Sergio Escudero's early strike had handed the hosts the ideal start.
And despite Guangzhou's Brazilian striker Elkeson and China international Gao Lin scoring either side of half-time for the visitors, Damjanovic believes FC Seoul have what it takes to keep the AFC Champions League trophy in Korean hands for a fourth time in five years ahead of the deceive second leg at Tianhe Stadium on November 9.
"We fought very hard; this is the Korean style of football. The K-League is a really tough league and when you play every game you feel this," said Damjanovic, who has scored four goals in his last five games in the AFC Champions League this season.
"You saw during the last 10-15 minutes that the Chinese players could not run, they couldn't play, and they were lucky we missed a few chances. And believe me, it will be the same in the second leg. That is the K-League style because we can run.
"It was an unbelievable final and we are going there and we will not give up. It is going to be another unbelievable game."
The draw saw FC Seoul extend their unbeaten record against Chinese Super League sides in the AFC Champions League this season having been drawn with Jiangsu Sainty in the group stage before seeing off the challenge of Beijing Guoan in the Round of 16.
And while FC Seoul need to win at Tianhe Stadium or at least match last week's result having conceded two away goals, draws in Saudi Arabia and Iran in their last two outings in the AFC Champions League prove Choi Yong-soo's side as a formidable opponent on their travels.
"Guangzhou showed that they are a really good team, but we had more chances and conceded some stupid goals from our mistakes. A 2-2 draw is not that bad and we showed that we can play against them. I missed two or three chances, but it is OK," added last year's K-League MVP Damjanovic.
"It will be one more tough game but every tough game improves my self-confidence. All of my team-mates showed we are a good team and that Guangzhou are not unbeatable."
Damjanovic, who netted 31 goals last season as Choi's side won the K-League title, has scored 17 goals in 30 AFC Champions League appearances after FC Seoul also reached the quarter-finals in both 2009 and 2011.
"We missed three or four chances in the first game and the goalkeeper had so much luck," added the 32-year-old.
"We are not giving up and we believe we can make a surprise and do something good in China."
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