Gregorio Manzano: Beijing Guoan will go for the win against Jeonbuk Motors
A draw will suffice for the capital side, but they're going all out for the win at Workers' Stadium
While a goalless draw will be enough to see Beijing Guoan advance to the last eight of the AFC Champions League for the first time, head coach Gregorio Manzano is targeting a win for his Chinese Super League side in the second leg of their last-16 meeting with Jeonbuk Motors on Tuesday night.
The teams drew the first leg 1-1 in South Korea last week thanks to a late penalty from Pablo Batalla, and that goal means the capital-based club can squeeze into the draw for the quarter-finals if tonight’s game finishes scoreless.
This will be a crucial match in the club’s history. We will do our best and win the game
But Manzano will eschew the defensive approach and attempt to pick up the win that will ensure his side eliminate the 2006 champions and maintain a run that has seen a Chinese side in the last eight of the competition for the last three seasons.
“This will be a crucial match in the club’s history,” he said. “We will do our best and win the game.
“It will be a very intense game, Jeonbuk is a strong team. But we are playing at home with the support from our fans, I believe we can make history by qualifying for the last eight of the Champions League for the first time.