Guangzhou: Coach Graham Arnold insisted his Sydney FC side would be in for a tough test on Tuesday at Tianhe Sport Centre Stadium when they face off against last year's AFC Champions League winners Guangzhou Evergrande, with three points enough to put the table topping A-League side into the last 16 as Group H winners.
Having already secured a first-ever Round of 16 place a fortnight ago following their goalless draw with second placed Urawa Red Diamonds of Japan, Arnold's side will now face-off against the holders who suffered an early exit from the competition in Matchday Five.
And as long as Sydney match or better the result Urawa post against Korea Republic's Pohang Steelers in Saitama, then the Australians will win the group, although forward Matt Simon will play no part in the game against Guangzhou due to a one-match suspension.
"It will be a difficult match as I still consider Guangzhou, despite their performance in this year's competition, to be one of the best teams in Asia," said Arnold.
"We didn't expect to be in first place at this point in the group stage as all the teams in this group are very strong.
"But we'll be looking to get victory and I'll be preparing my players to get all three points."
Home side Guangzhou, meanwhile, will be without suspended Brazil midfielder Paulinho and will have further adjustments in the line-up with Luiz Felipe Scolari pledging to give some of the club's rising young stars game time.
"Players like Liao Lisheng, Li Yuanyi and Xu Xin deserve the opportunity to play in the AFC Champions League and I think they are very important for the future of the team," said Scolari, whose side lead their domestic standings after they defeated Shanghai Shenhua 2-1 on Saturday in the Chinese Super League.
There will be a familiar face wearing the captain's armband, however, as China midfielder Zheng Zhi will step onto the pitch for his 200th game in Guangzhou colours.
"It is Zheng Zhi's 200th game and it is my honour to have him lead out my side tomorrow," added Scolari of the man who has twice lifted the AFC Champions League title in 2013 and 2015.
"Guangdong football learns a lot from Zheng Zhi and in the future he will help football to grow here."
Photo: Lagardère Sports
Source: the-afc.com