AFC Champions League: Lee Man look to pounce as inconsistency – and soaring temperatures – stifle Urawa Red Diamonds
- Urawa boss Maciej Skorza admits Japanese side ‘are not looking good in the physical aspect’ ahead of Tuesday’s play-off
- The defending champions’ faltering run of form gives the Hong Kong Premier League side a fighting chance in Saitama
While Urawa Red Diamonds are a club with the finest AFC Champions League pedigree, Lee Man could be meeting the defending champions at the right time, as inconsistency threatens to derail the Japanese club’s challenge for domestic silverware.
The Hong Kong Premier League side travel to Saitama after handing Bali United a 5-1 thrashing last week and take on the three-time title winners in Tuesday’s play-off knowing they will be underdogs against one of Asia’s most successful clubs.
Still, a faltering run of recent form has left questions hanging over Urawa’s trophy-winning ambitions.
“This summer time our performance is not as I expected, maybe because this is my first time in Japan working in these circumstances with these temperatures,” Urawa’s Polish coach Maciej Skorza told the Post after a narrow 1-0 win over Nagoya Grampus at a sweltering Saitama Stadium on Friday.
“I’ve changed a little bit my training sessions, and I think the team has reacted not in the way that I expected.
“Generally, I like to keep a longer time in training sessions, working on tactical parts but during this temperature it’s not a good idea. I think this is one of the reasons why we are not looking good in the physical aspect.”
