Seongnam skipper sets sights on AFC Champions League final
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Seongnam Ilhwa captain Sasa Ognenovski is confident the seven-time K-League champions can beat Saudi giants Al Shabab in Wednesday's AFC Champions League semi-final second leg and book a place in next month's Tokyo Final.
Saudi champions Al Hilal will host Zobahan in Wednesday's second semi-final, two weeks after the Iranian league leaders won 1-0 in Esfahan.
Ognenovski has revenge on his mind after the disappointment in Riyadh, when Seongnam led three times through spectacular volleys by Mauricio Molina and a Jo Jae-cheol finish before conceding two late goals to lose 4-3.
"It was disappointing to score three times and not win. I'd have been far happier with a draw," said the Australian, who played in the 2008 AFC Champions League final for Adelaide United before joining Seongnam early last year.
"It was due to some defensive mistakes, with us not picking up players, so I think we'll make it up at home. I don't think we'll make those kinds of mistakes again."
The giant centre-back, appointed club captain this season, believes one positive outcome from the loss was that Shin Tae-yong's men have a clear quest for the showdown in Seongnam, a satellite city southeast of Seoul.
"Most of the team were disappointed after the first leg, but we're confident we can turn it around at home. It also helps to know we have to win, so there are no mixed messages," said the 31-year-old.
"We beat Suwon 4-1 in the quarter-final [first leg] and relaxed in the second leg. If we had a similar result in the semi-final, we could have been surprised in the second leg again. We know what we have to do this time and will go all out to win."
The 1.95-metre Ognenovski will cut a determined figure when he leads his side out at the Tancheon Sports Complex as he seeks to secure his first trophy at the club after twice coming close last year.
"We're determined to win to win the AFC Champions League, as last year we lost in the final of the FA Cup and the final of the K-League playoffs," he said.
"I also have a strong personal ambition as I lost in the final of the 2008 AFC Champions League with Adelaide, so it would be great for the team and me personally to win this year."
Seongnam will have to rediscover their form in front of goal after drawing 0-0 at home to Daejeon Citizen on Friday, their second straight goalless draw in the K-League as they again chase a place in the end-of-year playoffs.
Shabab, coached by former Uruguay and Qatar boss Jorge Fossati, know a win or draw will book them a place in Tokyo.
New Uruguayan signing Jose Manuel Olivera was the hero in the first leg with a brace, while club captain Abdoh Autef made a decisive impact as a 70th-minute substitute, helping set up the third and fourth goals.
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