Ulsan Hyundai's Valeri Qazaishvili says that his team are looking to go the distance in ACL this season and that the Horangi's vast experience in the competition will serve them well. The Georgia international also admits that the defeat to Pohang Steelers in the semifinals still hurts.

What are your thoughts on Ulsan's start to the new season?

"It was a really good start and first game we draw, but then we had five wins. So it was a really good start for us. From the beginning, we miss them really great players (Lee Dong-gyeong and Lee Dong-jun). But now also we have other good players came in the team."

You have a healthy lead over Jeonbuk in the table, does it feel different this year?

"I don't know. We're just looking for the game by game and we are just trying to win the next game. You know, and to get the three points. I could have scored more goals, I think because I had two penalties that I missed so yeah, some good opportunities as well to score so I'm just looking for the next game (to score)."

What has been your best moment with Ulsan so far?

"My best moment so far was last year against Jeonbuk in the ACL game when I scored with my left foot, and we won that game."

Which player or team has been the toughest opponent that you have faced with Ulsan?

"I don't know. To be honest, every team is trying to play like 200% against us. And they always focus. And if we don't play our game, it's always hard to play and get the points."

You played as a striker for a few games this season, what was that like? Have you played there before?

"Oh, yeah. Last three or four years, at some of my former teams I played some games in the number nine position that's just only a couple of games like three or four games. So it was not a new one, but it's like still not my position. I think we are all happy that Leonardo signed (laughs)."

What are your thoughts on the ACL Group Stage draw, you have Kawasaki Frontale from Japan, Johor from Malaysia and Guangzhou from China.

"It's a really, really nice group and good teams, I think. I think it's better teams than last year. Especially Kawasaki (Frontale) because we played them last year, so it was a difficult game for us. And yeah, we are looking forward to playing against them again. It will be a good experience. The target is to win all the competitions, for sure. But like I said, we are looking for game by game and just to win the next game, you know?"

Do ACL matches feel different to K League, is there a different tempo for example?

"Oh, yeah. For example, against Kawasaki, they played very fast. And you can see that it was a different level, it was a good level. And I'm really excited again to play against them."

You lost to your rivals Pohang last year, that must have been tough to take?

"Oh, yeah, it was really, really painful. And because especially we were leading then they score last minute. After that, we lost a big game. It happens. But yeah, it was really painful. And yeah, still hurts." 

You went off in that one but had you been on the pitch, would you have taken a penalty in the shootout?

"I would have taken a penalty, for sure. It's really strange now to say that now, but yeah, for sure. I think when there's games like that, to watch from the bench I think is more stressful than to play."

Do you think your experience in ACL will help you and the team this year?

"Yeah, I think they (Ulsan) already had a good experience with the ACL. So last year, before that, we were champions and then semi-finals. So I know that Ulsan always perform good in ACL so another season, another chance."

Will you be swapping shirts with a player? Any players in mind?

"It depends on the opponent team who we play, and if I have if I know some players, like for example, like from Europe, yeah, for sure. I'll try go there and ask for their jersey, yeah."

Paul Neat
Editor-in-Chief