Hong Kong underdogs Lee Man know Champions League play-off with Urawa Red Diamonds ‘won’t be easy’
- Premier League side take on defending champions in Saitama on Tuesday, looking to qualify for the tournament for first time
- ‘It would change a lot if we had the ability to go through, we would make history,’ club’s assistant coach Jordi Tarres says
Lee Man go into Tuesday’s AFC Champions League (ACL) play-off against title-holders Urawa Red Diamonds as significant underdogs, but assistant coach Jordi Tarres believes victory would yield major benefits for the Hong Kong side.
A 5-1 thrashing of Bali United has left last year’s Premier League runners-up one game from the group phase of the continental championship.
And while the winners will join Hong Kong champions Kitchee among the 40 clubs involved in Thursday’s draw in Kuala Lumpur, the game at Saitama Stadium represents a sizeable step up in class for Lee Man.
“For us, for the club it would be the first time to participate in the Champions League, so it would be amazing if we have the chance to go through this play-off,” Tarres said.
“We know it’s not easy work, it’s a big hurdle. It would change a lot if we had the ability to go through, we would make history and the adjustments that the club would make if we go through are important.”
Lee Man are appearing in the ACL play-offs for the first time in the club’s short history, and their qualification is another sign of the rapid development since their formation six years ago.
