Sanfrecce Hiroshima manager Hajime Moriyasu reaffirmed that the team have not abandoned hope for advancing to the AFC Champions League’s Round of 16 following their 1-4 loss at FC Seoul on Tuesday.
The J.League champions sit in third place of Group F with no points following the result, with Seoul and Shandong Luneng top with six points each.
“In the first half it was a 50-50 fight, but over 90 minutes there was a clear difference that emerged and they beat us individually in the second half,” Moriyasu told reporters after the match.
“We have to improve everyone’s level and become a more complete team. It’s been a rough start but we’ll fight on as long as we have a chance.”