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My heart can not bear score like 5-4, says coach Menezes

Xinhua, March 1, 2016 Adjust font size:

"My heart can not bear a score like 4-3 or 5-4, because it is too heavy for a 53-year-old man," said Mano Menezes, head coach of the Chinese Super League (CSL) side Shandong Luneng here on Tuesday.

Luneng beat Thai winners Buriram United F.C. 3-0 in the second round of the 2016 Asian Champions League (ACL) here in Jinan, capital city of east China's Shandong province.

Luneng has so far won four games and scored 13 goals under the guidance of Menezes, the former boss of Brazil's national team, and the CSL powerhouse only conceded two goals, one in its second qualifier against Adelaide United, and another in the first round of group stage against Sanfrecce Hiroshima.

"The team I coached always conceded few goals," said Menezes, who focused on enhancing Luneng's fragile defense from the start.

Data showed that Jucilei da Silva, Hao Junmin and Diego Tardelli together got 15 tackles, and Brazilian centre-back Gil also contributed to the overall defense.

"I am not suitable for centre-back as I played last year. I feel more comfortable as a defensive midfielder this season under coach Mano," said Player of the Match Jucilei on his good performance.

Jucilei also had a nearly 90 percent pass accuracy, in addition to his 81-second goal from a corner.

Luneng has had eight AFC Champions League appearances, but its best performance was moving into the quarter-finals in 2005.

On March 16, Luneng will take on Seoul FC at home, which also has two wins to lead Group F on goal difference. Endit