Coach Jason Withe hailed the determined fightback of United City from two goals down to beat Beijing Guoan, 3-2, Thursday, July 8 and become the first club to win a match in the AFC Champions League.
The Philippines Football League titleholders conceded twice in the first four minutes but battled back behind newly-minted naturalized player Bienvenido Maranon and Mark Hartmann, who scored two goals including the winner in the 80th minute.
United City was able to gain the full three points after being denied a victory by the same Chinese Super League side when the two clubs settled for a 1-1 draw last June 26 in Tashkent, Uzbekistan.
Lopsided defeats followed for UCFC with a 7-0 thrashing by Daegu and an 8-0 defeat to Kawasaki Frontale before a second meeting against the latter ended in a respectable 2-0 loss.
“I am ecstatic for the boys,” said Withe. “In the first 20 minutes, we did not play at all. After that, we started playing our game again, the way I expected us to play.
“In the second half, I just told the boys to be patient and that the goals would come, we just need to pass more and be more clinical in front of goal.
“I knew we would create chances, but I told the boys we would have a game on our hands. We finished as the stronger team, and I was pleased with that,” added Withe.
With four points in five matches, United City is almost assured of avoiding a last place finish in Group I.
United City wraps up its ACL campaign Sunday against Daegu.