Seoul FC coach demands passion against Wanderers

Seoul FC coach Choi Yong-Soo doubts his pop-gun attack will win by more than two goals in next weeks’ Asian Champions League second leg semi-final against Western Sydney Wanderers, adding the side cannot be ‘passive’ in Parramatta.

The tie is poised at 0-0 after a cagey first leg in Seoul last week with the sides meeting at a sold-out Wanderland in Parramatta for the second leg next Wednesday night. 

The Australian side is aiming to become just the second Hyundai A-League team to make an ACL final following Adelaide United in 2008.

Speaking overnight after a 1-1 draw with K-League strugglers Gyeongnam, Yong-Soo emphasised the Wanderers’ defensive nature when asked about the game in Sydney.

“We might be able to win by one goal but not more than two goals because they’re a defensive team,” he said.

“But they won’t just defend at home. They had to in first leg but it will be different in the second leg.”

Scoring goals has been the problem for Choi’s side but they’ve beaten Hyundai A-League opposition this year and a late away goal at Wanderland could be all they need to make a second ACL final in a row. 

As for the Wanderers, they were given last weekend off after a 10-day training camp in Dubai prior to their clash in Seoul. 

They’ll be rested and ready for what promises to be a fascinating tactical battle between Tony Popovic’s red and black and Choi’s K-League outfit. 

Helping the Wanderers’ cause will be the fact Popovic will have a near full-strength squad to choose from.

In-form striker Tomi Juric, Brendon Santalab and Shannon Cole are available again after missing the first leg through suspension and will add some much-needed firepower to the side.

Choi added: “We need to score in the away match. Seoul players cannot play with passive and complacent attitude.”