Shanghai: Shanghai SIPG coach Sven Goran Eriksson is sweating on the fitness of forwards Elkeson and Asamoah Gyan ahead of Tuesday's AFC Champions League playoff against Thailand’s Muangthong United, while captain Sun Xiang is ruled out through injury.
Runners-up in the Chinese Super League last year, Shanghai brought in two-time AFC Champions League winner Elkeson in a blockbuster move from defending continental champions and domestic rivals Guangzhou Evergrande last month and Eriksson would have been hoping to partner him with 2014 AFC Champions League top scorer Gyan.
“Sun Xiang is ruled out and both Elkeson and Gyan have not yet reached their best shape and are in the process of recovering. I hope both of them will be able to handle a 90-minute game,” said Eriksson, who will get his first taste of the AFC Champions League having previously helmed Benfica, Roma and Lazio in UEFA Champions League campaigns.
“It is not going to be an easy game. I know our opponent will cause lots of problems for us, but we will overcome these difficulties and try our best to win the match within 90 minutes.”
Opponents Muangthong, meanwhile, will be hoping that they can avoid another play-off heartbreak after Leigh Broxham’s goal seven minutes from time denied them a place in the group stage of the 2014 edition in a 2-1 defeat to Australia’s Melbourne Victory.
“It is an important but also very difficult game for us as we are playing away. Shanghai is a strong team both in skills and tactics, and they are strong at both ends of the pitch,” said Muangthong coach Sripan Totchtawan.
“The weather differences between Thailand and here is difficult for us and we need time to settle. But this is football – we still have our chance.”
Muangthong’s countrymen Chonburi also face an East Asian test with a trip to FC Tokyo and the Thai Premier League side are looking to return to the group stage of the AFC Champions League for the first time since their debut at the 2008 tournament.
“The Japanese team is very strong but since we have come this far, we will work hard and put up 100% of what we have in the game,” said Chonburi coach Jukkapant Punpee.
“We have learned some things from the previous playoffs and are hoping we can put them to use in this match.”
In last year’s qualifying stage, Chonburi proved a stern test for eventual quarter-finalists Kashiwa Reysol before the J.League side eventually secured a 3-2 extra-time win and FC Tokyo coach Hiroshi Jofuku is expecting no easy ride for his team against the Thais.
“Chonburi gave a hard time to Kashiwa when they had a playoff last year with them. I know they have good individuals and some of their players will need to be marked,” said Jofuku.
“Even if we won’t be able to play with our own style and will be criticized, we don’t care. All we have to do is to make sure to win this game and qualify for the group stage.”
In the 2008 AFC Champions League, Adelaide United went all the way to the final before their eventual defeat to Japan’s Gamba Osaka and the South Australians are well aware of the significance of the clash with Chinese Super League side Shandong Luneng.
“It is like a final as it is just one game. For us this is good, this is a big day for us. It’s an important game for Adelaide, the players and Australian soccer,” said Adelaide United coach Guillermo Amor.
“If we play well, and our mentality and condition is good, then it’s possible to win. We are here for this and we want to win.”
Amor’s opposite number Mano Menezes is aware of the advantage in match fitness Shandong’s hosts have with the A-League past the half-way point and his side still in pre-season.
“For us it’s a very big difference, our opponents have already played 18 games and we only played one competitive game before coming here,” said former Brazil coach Menezes, who saw his side crush India’s Mohun Bagan 6-0 in their Preliminary Stage 2 tie last week.
“It’s going to be a very tough game for us because it is a decider who can join the group stage of the AFC Champions League. I know our opponent is strong, so it’s sure to be very hard.”
Kicking off the playoffs will be three-time Asian champions Pohang Steelers who host Vietnamese side Hanoi T&T, and coach Choi Jin-cheul has targeted a fast start against their visitors.
“We know that in a playoff, the important thing is to get through to the tournament proper. To do that, we will be looking to get the opening goal as soon as possible,” said Choi.
“We are still preparing for the season but we have a big game coming up and we want to show fans how much we have prepared.”
The away side, meanwhile, are playing in their third AFC Champions League qualifying campaign having lost out to Muangthong and FC Seoul in attempts to reach the 2014 and 2015 group stages.
“Last years’ experience will be a big help for us, I think. Seoul and Pohang are both strong teams. We will do our best for a good result,” said Hanoi coach Phan Thanh Hung.
“We saw Pohang in their pre-season in Thailand. Their coach was a famous player and they have many strong points. We respect them as a team but we will play with confidence.”
Photo: AFP
Source: the-afc.com