Urawa’s Makino savouring Hulk challenge
Saitama: Japan defender Tomoaki Makino is excited by the prospect of facing the 2017 AFC Champions League’s leading scorer Hulk for the third and final time this campaign, when Urawa Red Diamonds host Shanghai SIPG in the second leg of their semi-final tie on Wednesday.
While the 30-year-old centre-back was part of the line-up that faced a Hulk-lead attack in the group stage meeting between the sides, last month’s semi-first leg was the first-time Makino was directly tasked with nullifying the Brazilian.
It was a night of mixed fortunes for the former Sanfrecce Hiroshima player, with the powerful Brazilian forward scoring a stunning opener – his ninth of the campaign – but unable to make further inroads into a scoreline that finished 1-1 at Shanghai Stadium.
“He’s incredible. A big name and a fantastic player,” said Makino. “That kind of bulky, muscular physique is something else!
“I’ve played against a lot of excellent players in my career, but in recent years he’s a player who has certainly left an impact.
“I’m not nervous at all. I’m really looking forward to coming up against him again.”
Wednesday’s tie at Saitama Stadium will be Urawa’s third consecutive knockout stage second leg tie at home and their fans’ support has clearly been an important factor for the 2007 continental champions.
Against both Korea Republic’s Jeju United in the Round of 16 and compatriots Kawasaki Frontale in the quarter-finals, Urawa were able to overcome a first leg deficit on home soil to progress.
The scenario is, of course, different in this final four clash with Urawa holding a slim advantage courtesy of their away goal in the 1-1 aggregate scoreline.
Nevertheless, Makino insisted that the team’s sentiment should remain the same.
“In terms of how we should play the game we know that just a draw is okay, but despite that we have to come in with the feeling that we have to win the game,” he said.
“We’re not thinking about playing with a defensive approach. All we’re thinking is that if we win then we go on to the next stage.
“We’ve had the aim at Urawa for several years now of wanting to win the AFC Champions League again and now it’s the reality that we’ve come this far in a good way.
“If we win this game then next up is the final and we know that we then have the chance of becoming champions.”
Photos: Lagardère Sports
Source: the-afc.com
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