Jeonbuk just too good admits Arema’s Janu

Wednesday, 16 March 2011 19:03

 Malang: Arema coach Miroslav Janu acknowledged that Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors were simply the better side after his men were thumped 4-0 in their 2011 AFC Champions League match at the Kanjuruhan Stadium.

A first-half goal from Kim Jee-wong, along with a second-half strike from Huang Bowen and a brace from Luiz Henrique did the damage.

That does not tell the full story, though, with Arema being well in the game until Huang`s decisive strike late in the second period.

From then, Arema`s resistance broke, allowing Luiz Henrique to rub salt in the wounds with his late double.

"Jeonbuk were clearly the better side. They played really well. They were really patient in cracking our defence. We defended manfully but they finally managed to breach us." said Janu.

"We tried our best to close the class difference. We did great in the first-half, but we were running out of fuel in the second. It showed the difference between the teams."

But, for as good as Janu thought Jeonbuk were, he also recognised a number of failings within his own side.

He added: "Some of our players gave an under-par performance today. Noh Alam Shah and Yongki Aribowo were not at their best. They didn't have a single shot on target. I thought they could've done better.

"We should do better in our next matches. This is the chance for us to lift up our games.”

Meanwhile Janu's Jeonbuk counterpart Choi Kang-hee felt the win had not come easily despite the one-sided outcome.

He stressed that Arema`s first-half performance had tested his side before they released the pressure with Huang`s 78th minute goal.

“Arema played really well in the first half. They pressed us and we were forced to sit behind the back most of the time,” he said.

"But it all changed after the second goal. Our players relieved the tension then. We could play better after we doubled our lead."

It is the second time Jeonbuk have encountered an Indonesian side in AFC Champions League but after facing Persipura last year, Choi believes Arema are a better side.

He added: "Arema are more solid than Persipura last year. We really tried hard to win today. They should take honour in their performance. If they maintain their playing level, they will grow stronger in coming years."