AFC Champions League: Lee Man can challenge ‘under pressure’ Urawa Red Diamonds, says goal hero Paulissen
- Mitchel Paulisson says defending champions have to prove they are still best side in Asia
- Bali United head coach Stefano Cugurra convinced Hong Kong side can spring upset after seeing his side thumped 5-1
Lee Man’s two-goal AFC Champions League star Mitchel Paulisson believes the pressure is all on illustrious opponents Urawa Red Diamonds ahead of Tuesday’s crunch play-off tie in Japan.
Paulisson, signed from SC Cambuur in his native Holland this summer, had a marvellous debut at Hong Kong Stadium on Wednesday, scoring twice in his side’s 5-1 preliminary round thumping of Bali United.
Stunned Bali head coach Stefano Cugurra was sufficiently impressed to suggest a repeat performance from the Hong Kong team could upset ACL holders Urawa next week.
Midfielder Paulissen’s only concession to Urawa’s traditional superiority was his acceptance of Lee Man’s underdog tag. A comprehensive dismantling of Indonesians Bali nevertheless encouraged the 30-year-old to contemplate the prospect of his new club joining compatriots Kitchee in the competition’s group stage.
“Urawa are Champions League winners, so we have nothing to lose,” Paulissen said. “We are underdogs and they need to win. I am not saying it is like a school trip for us, we want to get a result.
“But the pressure is on them, they need to show they are the best side in Asia. We are going to give everything to win. To play in the group stage would be massive.
“Nobody expected us to win so easily against Bali. That was our first competitive game and the team has plenty of room for improvement.”
Curruga has twice led Bali to domestic titles and had Champions League experience with the club in 2020.
Nothing prepared the Brazilian, however, for the physicality, speed and ingenuity of a Lee Man front line that contained two of Curruga’s countrymen in Gil Martins and Everton Camargo. Both men got on the score sheet and between them provided three assists.
“The two Brazilian wingers played very good football, they had quality, were strong offensively and my team could not stop them,” Curruga told the Post.
“Their team played very good football. They prepared very well, the club made a good investment [going to Korea for a preseason camp] and they had a good test there. They were ready for the game.
“Urawa are at a very high level and have a lot of quality. But if Lee Man play like they did against us, it is possible for them to get a result there.”
Lee Man coach Jordi Tarres admitted he would be “rushing” to prepare for Urawa after a long lead-in time enabled last season’s Premier League runners-up to know “every detail” about Bali.
“But the most important thing is to work with the players,” Tarres said. “It is not good to give them too much information in a few days, they won’t absorb it.
“We will try to give them the important things and an idea of how to play, then we can try to get the best result possible.”
Paulissen opened the scoring with a controlled right-foot volley across goalkeeper Adilson Maringa, and then used his left foot to crack in Lee Man’s fourth goal from the edge of the box.
There was plenty to admire in Paulissen’s passing and close control, too, although he noticeably struggled with the city’s oppressive conditions.
“I hope there is more to come from me,” Paulissen said. “My first week was crazy hot and I was thinking, ‘how can you play football in this weather?’
“I expect more from myself, I was tired after 60 or 70 minutes. I am working hard on my fitness and adapting to the humidity. I can only get better - I started with two goals, so set the bar high.”
