Fearless Estudiantes FC are ready to take on Gamba Osaka in the Frenz
International Cup 2015 quarterfinals at the Maybank Stadium in Bangi tomorrow after
emerging from the group stages as one of the front runners.
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Wins over AIFF India (3-0), Frenz United Malaysia (4-0) and defeating
Tottenham Hotspur 1-0 gave the Argentineans a three-match unbeaten run, and
head coach Desio Hermes does not want his boys to stop there.
“We have not analysed their (Gamba Osaka) games. We will only decide
on what to do after we do our research,” said Hermes, who has nothing but
praise for the tournament. “It is an honour to play here, and we are glad we
accepted the invitation. It is such great experience for my players to play
different opponents from different countries.”
Hermes was also reserved about his team's chances in the next match,
adding: “We are just aware that to be the best, we have to keep challenging the
best, so we just want to look forward to playing stronger opponents from here
on.”
Estudiantes will be banking on Lazzarini Emiliano and Cejas Juan
Bautista, who have been a threat to their opponents in the group stages with
their speed.
On the opposite end, Gamba head coach Hironari Umezu is looking to see
his side attack more often against Estudiantes. Strikers Taichi Takeda and
Tappei Kawanami will return to action after sitting on the bench in the 1-0
defeat to FC Porto. Taichi has three goals to his name and will spearhead Gamba’s
scoring machine.
“We did not risk them against Porto because they picked up yellow
cards. But I do want to see my team attack more often against Estudiantes,"
said Hironari.
Meanwhile, the other quarterfinal match will be an all-European affair
as Portugal’s FC Porto faces Spurs at the Shah Alam Stadium. Group C leaders
Porto have been playing consistently with two wins and a draw, and head coach
Antonio Jose Dos Santos Folha said the Portuguese team will be firing on all
cylinders against their English opponents.
“We never hold back. Our philosophy is to always play our strongest
hand, and that is what we will do,” said Folha, who insists that their plan is
always to score as many goals.”
Spurs certainly have their work cut out for them as Porto's well
organised movement will make it hard for coach McKenna Kieran Thomas' boys to
breach Porto's net.
But Thomas will have forwards Harrison Shayon Adam and Loft Ryan
George Henson, who scored two goals apiece, to lead the charge.
"I have not actually seen any of our opponent's (FC Porto) games,
but we will have a plan ready,” said Thomas. “Our goal is to help the team stay
in the tournament for as long as possible, because it means more high quality
matches and more experience for the boys. We will be looking forward to the quarterfinals.”
In Palembang, Indonesia, Head coach Mohamad Zahid Hashim says Frenz United Indonesia is
mentally and physically prepared to take on the greater challenge against S.C.
Internacional in the quarterfinals at the Gelora Sriwijaya Stadium in Jakabaring
tomorrow.
“We will face one of the strongest teams here
and it is not going to be easy for us,” said the Malaysian. “Technically we
have the skills to take them on. We are prepared both mentally and physically
against the Brazilians.”
“They (Internacional) are a very polished and
skilful side. But I told the players that nothing is impossible if we get
things going right from the very beginning. We need to shake them off with
early goals,” added Zahid.
Frenz United Indonesia’s route to the quarterfinals
began with a 6-5 defeat against England’s Liverpool FC and then held to a 1-1
draw by Netherland’s Feyenoord FC before crushing Guangzhou Evergrande of China
3-0 to finish second in Group A, five points adrift of table leaders Liverpool.
The Brazilians, on the opposite end, scored a
total of 14 goals while their defenders allowed two goals to past through. They
started their campaign with a 3-1 win over Spanish side Valencia CF, thrashed
Thailand’s Chonburi FC 6-0 and concluded Group B fixtures with a 5-1 victory
over J-League side Kashima Antlers.
A team blended with 14 Indonesians, seven
Malaysians and three Iranian players, FUI will look to striker Reza Habil
Karimi and Ade Ivan Hafilah, who returned from a hamstring. Ade combined well
with Reza to score the second goal against the Chinese in his first match of
the tournament but has not been fully tested.
FUI had a light training session at the Bumi
Sriwijaya Stadium this morning and the morale in the team is equally high.
“We have to put in a lot of effort against
the Brazilians. It’s got to be more than just 100 per cent if we want to win.
There are no shorter ways. The FIC is a highly competitive tournament with
quality teams,” said Zahid, adding that Malacca-born Yugan Poobathy will not be
in the line-up as he is serving a two-match suspension for picking a red card
against Feyenoord.
Meanwhile, Internacional head coach Ricardo
Cobalchini is keeping his options open, not wanting to reveal too much for the
quarterfinals tie.
“We have watched FUI and they have depth in
all departments. It is not right to single out any player who needs extra watch
as the team is strong in defence and attack. But we have our strategy,” said
Cobalchini.
Striker Matheus Carvalho Resende, Tulio
Marcus Rodrigues, Alexandro Perreira, Ronald Santanna Rodrigues and midfielder
Bruno Jose De Souza have all had their names on the score sheet and will pose a
danger to FUI.
Quarter-finals fixtures:
In Kuala Lumpur – Saturday (10, January,
2015): Estudiantes
FC v Gamba Osaka (4.30pm, Maybank Sports Complex, Bangi); Tottenham Hotspur v
Porto FC (7.30pm, Shah Alam Stadium).
In Palembang – Saturday (10
January, 2015): Liverpool FC
v Valencia CF (4.0pm); Frenz United
Indonesia v SC Internacional (8.30pm). Both matches played at Gelora Sriwijaya
Stadium.
