Silva blames missed chances as Urawa turn attention to Wydad

Urawa Red Diamonds’ inability to take their chances cost them a place in the Fifa Club World Cup semi-final against Real Madrid, according to star forward Rafael Silva.

The Japanese side were beaten 1-0 by UAE champions Al Jazira at Zayed Sports City on Saturday, when Ali Mabkhout’s goal early in the second half sealed the result.

On the whole, Jazira deserved to progress, although Urawa did enjoy more possession – they had the ball almost almost two thirds of the time – and had four more shots on goal.

With two minutes remaining Silva struck the Jazira post, but the Brazilian was otherwise kept largely quiet, though, a surprise given his form in this year’s Asian Champions League.

Silva scored nine goals in the competition as Urawa won the trophy last month for the second time – a haul bettered only by Al Hilal forward and beaten finalist Omar Khribin.

“It’s about being clinical. We had a few chances, we created a few good opportunities, but unfortunately we couldn’t finish them to score,” Silva said following the defeat to Jazira in Abu Dhabi.

“We were sure about our potential. We were believing in ourselves and trusting ourselves, but unfortunately this happens. All the teams that are in this tournament are champion teams.

“Of course we were not underestimating the opponent. We knew it was going to be something difficult, we were expecting that.

“It was just missing concentration.”

Urawa must now pick themselves up for the fifth-placed play-off against Wydad Casablanca at 6pm, tomorrow.

The Moroccans lost Saturday’s other quarter-final to Mexico’s Pachuca.

However, Silva is confident the Asian champions will regroup and rebound at Al Ain’s Hazza bin Zayed Stadium.

“We still have one game,” he said.

“Also this is like a school. We learn from these kinds of games and we just have to look forward.

“Even if it’s not as the winner, it doesn’t matter, we just have to keep going forward.”