Miura: ‘This victory is for all the fans back in Japan’

With Andres Iniesta and Daigo Nishi scoring one goal each in the game against

on Monday,

could now play their first-ever quarter-final in

. 

It was also the fourth consecutive exit for Shanghai SIPG at the hands of a Japanese side.

“We are happy that we played very well, and the players followed our instructions,” Vissel Kobe head coach

Atsuhiro Miura

.

“This victory is not just for us, but for all the fans back in Japan who sent us their messages of support from Kobe.”

During the game, Iniesta had to be replaced as he got injured in the 68th minute.

"On the other side, we have a problem with Andres Iniesta’s injury. We have to wait to assess how serious the injury is,” Miura added.

“We have many young players too. It was a tough game and Shanghai SIPG had a lot of quality players.

"We analyzed them and knew that we could control the game. The players followed the instructions and played as a unit, that helped us get the result.

“We did a lot of things in the J1 League but could not get the results. Now every team that plays in the AFC Champions League is ready to go because we prepared well.”

Although Shanghai SIPG were defeated and sent home, their boss Vitor Perreira believes they did their best.

“The players did not have the energy to continue playing at the same level,” said Perreira.

“Today my players were trying their best but we felt the reaction, the pressing, and the moves, it was all too slow because it is impossible to do it with this physical condition. This is not our normal game. We could not play in our preferred style because it is impossible to play seven games in 21 days and keep going at the same level.

“I cannot blame the players. I can only thank their efforts in this game and in the competition to try to give a good image of the club.”

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