Guangzhou: Guangzhou Evergrande’s impressive run at the AFC Champions League, that has seen them win two of the last four editions, continued this year with the club qualifying for their fifth quarter-final appearance in six continental campaigns, as the southern China side once again advanced to the knockout rounds.
The two-time champions – the club won the title in 2013 and 2015 – went into the current edition of the continental championship as Chinese Super League champions. This was their sixth title in a row as Luiz Felipe Scolari’s team remain one of the most successful in recent times in Asia.
The spine of the side has been at the club for several years with midfielders Zheng Zhi and Huang Bowen, goalkeeper Zeng Cheng, defenders Kim Young-gwon, Zhang Linpeng and Feng Xiaoting among the players who started in the 2013 AFC Champions League final, while forward Gao Lin came off the bench in the decider against FC Seoul four years ago.
Indeed, Guangzhou's first four appearances at the continental competition resulted in at least a quarter-final finish with last year’s Group stage elimination a rare exception.
The Chinese heavyweights began their sixth AFC Champions League campaign in fine fashion with a 7-0 win over Hong Kong’s Eastern SC in the Group G opener.
The 2015 AFC Champions League Top Scorer and MVP Ricardo Goulart got Guangzhou off to a perfect start after he converted from the penalty spot after just five minutes before Wang Shangyuan and Liao Lisheng made it 3-0 at half-time.
Liao completed his brace shortly after half-time before Brazilian striker Alan added Guangzhou’s fifth. Paulinho opened his account to put Guangzhou six goals to the good before Wang netted his second of the night with five minutes remaining to put the icing on a comprehensive win.
Guangzhou were, however, soon brought back down to earth with a tough 2-2 draw away at Korea Republic’s Suwon Samsung Bluewings. Goulart cancelled out Santos’ opener but Johnathan restored Suwon’s lead just seven minutes later. In the end, Guangzhou were indebted to Alan’s 81st minute leveller which ensured they left Suwon World Cup Stadium with a point.
The stalemates kept coming for Guangzhou as they were held to a 1-1 draw at home to Kawasaki Frontale of Japan on Matchday Three. This is time it was Guangzhou who were ruing a late equaliser as Yu Kobayashi’s injury time penalty nullified Alan’s opener, before a goalless match was played out at Kawasaki’s Todoroki Athletics Stadium in the return meeting.
The result in Japan meant an extremely tight group with two games to go but Guangzhou’s 6-0 win over Eastern, in tandem with Suwon’s 1-0 loss at the hands of Kawasaki, gave them some breathing space.
A winner-take-all climax to Group G saw second face third as Guangzhou hosted Suwon on Matchday Six and early goals from Yeom Ki-hun and Goulart for either side meant the scores were level at half-time.
Goulart put Guangzhou back in the driving seat on 68 minutes but Kim Jong-woo ensured the last 11 minutes at Tianhe Sports Centre Stadium would be a nervy affair for the over 38,000 fans in attendance.
However, the home side did hold on for a share of the points to ensure they retained second place, a point ahead of Suwon and secured Knockout Stage qualification at the expense of the unlucky Korean side.
The reward was an exciting Round of 16 match-up against Group E winners Kashima Antlers, and the J.League champions forced Guangzhou to work hard in the first leg at Tianhe Sport Centre Stadium. Close to 40,000 fans had to wait until 15 minutes from the end to see the game’s only goal as Paulinho fired home from close-range to give Scolari’s side a 1-0 advantage ahead of the second leg in Japan.
Kashima might have fancied their chances at Kashima Soccer Stadium once Pedro Junior levelled the scores on aggregate after 28 minutes with a spectacular strike from distance, but fellow countryman Paulinho restored Guangzhou’s advantage following a defensive mix-up in the Kashima backline.
Mu Kanazki ensured a frenetic finish after he dinked Kashima’s second of the night past Zeng Cheng in stoppage time, but the Chinese Super League side were able to hold out for the remainder of the tie and return to the last eight stage.
China national team forward Gao Lin often spearheads Guangzhou’s attack, while either side of him Brazilians Alan and Goulart make up one of the most talented forward trios in the last eight. And despite turning 37 in August, evergreen midfielder Zheng Zhi continues to be one of China and Guangzhou’s most talented players.
Along with Zheng, Zhang, Huang and Zeng are also two-time AFC Champions League winners and their experience of this competition is vital when it comes to the all-important Knockout Stages.
The Coach: Luiz Felipe Scolari
Winner of the 2002 FIFA World Cup with Brazil, Luiz Felipe Scolari took over the Guangzhou reins in 2015 and followed up a domestic-continental double in his first season with a league-cup double a year later.
The Brazilian also experienced the 2009 and 2010 AFC Champions League tournaments with Uzbekistan’s Bunydokor. On the international front, Scolari guided Portugal to the UEFA Euro 2004 final, his homeland to FIFA Confederations Cup glory in 2013 and also led Kuwait to the 1990 Gulf Cup.
Scolari has also enjoyed spells with Chelsea, Al Shabab, Qadsia SC, Al Ahli and Jubilo Iwata.
The Key Player: Ricardo Goulart
Ricardo Goulart joined Guangzhou in January 2015 and immediately started to repay his new employers, scoring the only goal of the game on his AFC Champions League debut against FC Seoul.
He bagged five more in his next two games and a further two in the knockout rounds as Guangzhou won a second continental title and Goulart picked up the Most Valuable Player and Top Scorers awards.
Goulart netted in the 2017 opener against Eastern before a stunning volley in a 2-2 draw with Suwon Samsung Bluewings that would prove as crucial as his brace in another 2-2 draw with Suwon, ensuring Guangzhou advanced to the Round of 16.
Q-FINAL FIXTURES
August 22
Shanghai SIPG vs Guangzhou Evergrande
(Shanghai Stadium)
September 12
Guangzhou Evergrande vs Shanghai SIPG
(Tianhe Stadium)
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Photos: Lagardère Sports
Source: the-afc.com