PETALING JAYA: It took just one lapse in focus to cost Selangor dearly as they went down 1-0 to K-League One side Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors in their AFC Champions League Two match at the Jeonju Football Stadium on Thursday.
The Red Giants defence let their guard down during a set-piece in the 22nd minute and Jeonbuk’s Brazilian striker Tiago Orobo rose high to nod home Kwon Chang-hoon’s corner kick.
It was Orobo’s first goal in the competition and it proved the match winner which sent his club to the top of Group H with nine points. Selangor are second with seven points. The top two teams in the group will qualify for the knockout stages.
Orobo did not feature in Jeonbuk’s first meeting with Selangor on Oct 23, which the Malaysian side won 2-1.
Leading role: Selangor captain Harith Haiqal in action against Jeonbuk during their AFC Champions League Two match. — Selangor FC
Selangor goalkeeper Azim Al-Amin felt that the goal could have been avoided if the defence had been more alert.
‘’It was a set-piece, and we weren’t ready when it was taken and conceded the goal. We tried our best to bounce back but we couldn’t,” said the 23-year-old.
“We’re sad but this is part of football. We now have two more games to ensure we stay in the top two of the group and reach the knockout stage.”
Selangor will next take on Thai club Muangthong United at the Petaling Jaya Stadium on Nov 28.
Selangor’s interim coach Abdi Hassan said his side were simply punished for their lapse in focus.
“At this level, you have to be 100 percent focused and we need to be better at our man-to-man marking during set-pieces.
‘‘In the second half, we created some good chances but couldn’t finish them off.”
For Jeonbuk, the win is a much-needed confidence booster before their relegation battle in a K-League One playoff match against Daegu FC on Sunday.
“I believe we need to change the atmosphere that is dividing our club now,” said coach Kim Do-heon.
“The important thing is that we managed to get the three points and we hope to build on this. We’re trying to improve through better training and my job is to boost the players’ confidence.’’
