Strength in unity can overcome Shanghai’s stars says Silva
Saitama: Rafael Silva is determined to show Shanghai SIPG’s superstars they are not the only ones capable of lighting up Asian football when they clash with Urawa Red Diamonds in the AFC Champions League semi-final on Wednesday.
The Brazilian struck Urawa’s third goal in their 4-1 quarter-final second leg win over Kawasaki Frontale; a result which secured a sensational 5-4 aggregate victory to set up another meeting with Shanghai, who Urawa tussled with in the group stage of this year’s competition.
The sides registered one win apiece in Group F – Shanghai winning 3-2 in China and Silva’s goal giving Urawa a 1-0 victory in Japan – and Silva believes that while Andre Villas-Boas’s team possess a glittering array of talent, Urawa’s whole is worth far more than the sum of its parts.
“The opponents have a lot of individual strengths, there is no doubt about that, but our team are strong together,” the Sao Paulo-native said.
“Each piece in our team is really important, and I think if we unite our forces together then we are capable of overcoming those kinds of good individual players – we have the strength to do that.”
Rafael Silva scores against Kawasaki in the quarter-finals
The 25-year-old is under no illusion as to the scale of the task ahead, but feels Urawa can take plenty of confidence from the fact they have already gone blow for blow with Shanghai.
“It’s going to be a very difficult game,” said Silva.
“We’ve faced them previously and we’re going to use everything we have against this opponents – who we were already able to overcome once. We’re just going to go for it.”
The former Albirex Niigata forward scored in both games between the sides earlier this year, and admits he wants to embrace the chance to once again share a stage with compatriots Oscar and Hulk to show that he, like them, has what it takes to represent his country.
“I think it’s the dream of every single player in the world, especially for us Brazilians. But my duty now is just to work hard for Urawa and do the things we have to do in this moment,” he added.
“I think dreams are dreams, and if someday naturally it is going to be (that I play for Brazil) then what will be, will be. I’m not worried about that, I just have to focus on the things I need to do now.”
Photos: Lagardère Sports
Source: the-afc.com
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