The AFC Champions League (ACL) 2016 had its knockout stage's first leg (Round of 16) on Tuesday 17 May as F.C. Tokyo beat Chinese outfit Shanghai SIPG 2-1 with midfielder MIZUNUMA Kota's brace at their home of Tokyo Stadium.

After winning through Group E in second place, Tokyo showed their aggressive moves toward opponents from the start and picked up the pace in the first Round of 16 contest for them since 2012.

Just after 11 minutes, midfielder YONEMOTO Takuji ran through for midfielder HANYU Naotake's ball and found space behind the opponents' defensive line. In the 25th minute, forward MAEDA Ryoichi threatened the opponents with a header for Mizunuma's cross.

Shanghai, who came out of Group G on top even in their first ACL appearance, seemed to start calmly but attempted to build up offence led by midfielder Dario CONCA, who has an experience to become the ACL champion with Guangzhou Evergrande. In the 36th minute, defender KIM Ju Young got through the heart of defence and headed Conca's free kick,

Although Tokyo were without defender MARUYAMA Yuichi due to suspension following his accumulation of yellow cards, Tokyo defence led by alternative defender YOSHIMOTO Kazunori and Japanese international MORISHIGE Masato was well-balanced and did not allow forward Elkeson and other players to be free.

The deadlock was broken in the 43rd minute just before the half-time.

Tokyo earned a free kick for hand ball just at the edge of the box. Mizunuma fired the direct free kick on target. "It was a close range and I just hit it hard," said Mizunuma. His low shot that was deflected off an opponent went through directly into the back of the net.

Shanghai came back in the second half. As the Chinese side tried to break through Tokyo's defence with vertically quick attacks, forward LU Wenjun received a pass from Conca and cut into the penalty box before firing a shot in the 55th minute. Tokyo goalkeeper AKIMOTO Yota parried the ball, but forward WU Lei ran in from the opposite side and responded to the loose ball to put it into the goal.

After allowing the equaliser, Tokyo, in the 62nd minute, sent on ABE Takuma in place for HIGASHI Keigo, which activated Tokyo's moves for goal. In the 64th minute, Hanyu's shot just went above the cross bar by an inch.

One minute later, left back TOKUNAGA Yuhei received a pass from midfield and fed a cross before Mizunuma volleyed it at the far post with his right foot to put his side one-goal ahead.

After that, Shanghai accelerated with vertical attacks and came close with Conca's free kick and fine combinations between Elkeson and Wu.

But Tokyo did not lose concentration and maintained the lead with composure until the end to clinch a 2-1 win.

See more match details (Japanese version only)

Tokyo will play the second leg on Tuesday 24 May in Shanghai for the last 8 spot.

Coach and Players' Comments

JOFUKU Hiroshi, Coach (F.C. Tokyo)
We knew it would have been really tough to go to Shanghai without three points in the first leg. My players did their task with strong mind. It's disappointing we conceded a goal, but it was the 90 minutes where they brought out what they have including their performance and spirit. The score was 2-1, and if we give up a goal and score no goal on the road, we can't move up. We will get well prepared to go up next.

MF  MIZUNUMA Kota (F.C. Tokyo)
I'm glad we got a win. We haven't got good results recently and our determination for today was really strong. Our squad were changed from the league matches, but players who didn't play were also doing what they were supposed to. I'm happy to score two goals, but the next match in Shanghai will be difficult. We will get ourselves ready for it.

DF  HASHIMOTO Kento (F.C. Tokyo)
Nothing beats the win. I played at right back in the Vietnam match and have played there during training as well. I was ready to play no matter where it was. I allowed the opponents to find space behind me. I learned you end up getting them into space if you misjudge where to position yourself and where to put centre of gravity. That reminded me that we need to keep concentration throughout 90 minutes. They are the opponents you can't beat unless you all battle it out throughout 90 minutes and I thought it's important to keep it up.

FW  MAEDA Ryoichi (F.C. Tokyo)
I'm glad to win, but the opponents got an away goal. So my feeling is half and half. We've got to be focused on the road as well. The opponents have got individual skills, but I also got some confidence in breaking through if we play collectively. Defending up front is not enough. I should've scored a goal as an attacker, so I will try to get a goal next.

MF  HANYU Naotake (F.C. Tokyo)
While the team were struggling to win, I'm glad it ended up in a win. Hard-working is our shared goal, and on top of that, the results will follow us. If the players around me think they had more ball touches than usual, that means I fulfilled one of my roles.

MF  HIGASHI Keigo (F.C. Tokyo)
It's good we got a winner even though we allowed them to close a gap after we opened the score, and that's because we all ran for the team. Conca is a very good player, keeping the ball where he can kick to wherever he wants. I tried to chase him even if I got beaten once. We won't look for a draw but will play with winning attitude.

Sven Goeran Eriksson, Coach (Shanghai SIPG) 
It was a good game, but it's disappointing we failed to start the game well and conceded a goal, while Tokyo were aggressive and playing very well. We came back in the second half and started to keep the ball. And we became aggressive and created a couple of chances so that we could score a goal. That encouraged us for the second leg in Shanghai. We still have 90 minutes left and anything can happen.

AFC Champions League 2016

27 January 2016 - 26 November 2016

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