Urawa Reds manager Gert Engels said their first leg loss gave them the focus needed to defeat Al Qadsia in the return fixture. (AFP)

SAITAMA – Urawa Reds’ first leg defeat by Al Qadsia allowed the defending champions to head into Wednesday’s return fixture at Saitama Stadium with a clear objective stressed manager Gert Engels.

Urawa qualified for the semi-finals of the continental championship for the second straight season thanks to a 2-0 win in front of their own fans on Wednesday which overturned their 3-2 loss in the first leg and secured a 4-3 aggregate triumph.

Takahito Soma gave Urawa the lead with a perfectly struck volley after 31 minutes and Marcus Tulio Tanaka sealed the win when he lashed home nine minutes into the second half.

“The quarter-finals of the AFC Champions League is a special game and since we lost the first game the only thing we had to think about was winning and I think that’s why we started so well,” said Engels.

“We were able to make a good start. We put them under pressure from the start, although there was some confusion at times and (goalkeeper Ryota) Tsuzuki had to make a few saves.

“But we were the dominant team in both the first half and the second half. We were able to score the second goal and that helped as we almost lost control. But we were able to win 2-0.

“The atmosphere in the stadium was splendid today and all the players worked hard.”

Engels paid tribute to Al Qadsia, who refused to sit back and defend their slender one-goal lead despite the difficulty of the task that lay ahead of them.

“Our opponents were strong,” added the German coach. “They had done well in the first round and qualified for the quarter-finals but from the start of the first half we were able to attack although we gave away some chances as well.

“We were able to control the game from the middle of the first half and throughout the second half as well. I think this is the reason for the victory today.”

Urawa will now take on J.League rivals Gamba Osaka for a place in the final, with the first leg to be played in Osaka on October 8 before the return in Saitama on October 22.
With Urawa also fighting it out at the top of the J.League standings, Engels was pleased to have avoided another long trip overseas as the season approaches its climax.

“I think it’s good that we are able to play a Japanese team, especially when you think about the distances involved in the travel,” he said. “We know Gamba very well.”