By Michael Lynch
Jeonbuk Motors have won the last two K-League titles and are looking to build on their domestic success by making an Asian Champions League statement.
So, says coach Choi Kang-Hee, they will adopt a bold strategy when they face Melbourne Victory in the away leg of their round of 16 clash on Tuesday night at AAMI Park.
Old rivals: Victory met Jeonbuk in the Asian Champions League in 2014.Credit: Getty Images
"Away games are always difficult. Our opponents are difficult. We need to prepare tactics. We will win the game to have a better chance at home," says Choi.
"Even though this is an away match we never have a good result when we go defensive so we will play our normal style."
Jeonbuk have won the ACL in the past – they triumphed in 2006 – and also reached the final in 2011. But, says Choi, the experience is not that important.
"It doesn't really help as much. It doesn't really matter. The important thing is on match day, the players' conditions. We are very focused on the game. I believe we have ability in our players."
Choi believes the Australian game's success in Asia – Western Sydney won the 2014 ACL and Australia won the Asian Cup in 2015 – is indicative of the nation's growing strength.
"Australian football is getting stronger again. It was strong before. In the past we played Melbourne in 2014 it was very difficult. It's always difficult to win against the Australian teams, the A-League is getting popular and a lot of Australians play in Europe."
Jeonbuk signed former Melbourne City midfielder Erik Paartalu earlier this year but the tall Australian is currently out of favour and is not in this squad.
"Paartalu didn't do anything wrong," says Choi. "The K-League and A-League has different styles, K-League has a faster tempo. He is still settling in and after he settles we expect something from him."