Klimala’s brace put Sydney FC on the cusp of making the semi-finals for the first time, but the Polish forward warned his team against being complacent.
“It feels amazing, I am delighted to help the team with two goals but we have a lot to do yet. We have one game left and it’s not done yet,” said Klimala, who has netted five times for the Sky Blues this season in AFC competition.
Sydney’s attacking efforts paid off in the 36th minute with Klimala collecting Caceres’s pass, taking the ball on his chest and smashing it past keeper Song Bum-keun with his left foot.
A moment of attacking brilliance in the 66th minute then allowed space for the Pole, who drilled his shot home into the bottom left corner, leaving Song and the Jeonbuk defence stunned.
“I think we pressed really well, everything we talked about before the game we did everything. Even when we scored we didn’t go back, we still pressed and I think that was the reason because Jeonbuk couldn’t play through us,” said Klimala.
“I think our confidence is still the same (ahead of the second leg) as before this game, I think we just need to go back, reset and prepare for the second leg.”
Sydney FC head coach Ufuk Talay echoed Klimala’s sentiments, acknowledging the strong opposition but praising his side’s tactical execution.
“I thought it was a good game from both teams but we capitalised on a very good moment,” said Talay. “Patryk probably could have had a second goal in the first half as well but overall, playing against a strong side, I thought we performed well.
“We were good with the ball and, at times, very solid defensively. It wasn’t an easy game –n playing away against a team like Jeonbuk is always tough. So, to come away with a 2-0 win, I’m very pleased with the performance of the players.”
