ACL MD4 - Group H: Urawa Red Diamonds v Guangzhou Evergrande preview

Published on: 04 April 2016

Saitama: Urawa Red Diamonds coach Mihailo Petrovic is under no illusion as to the importance and difficulty of Tuesday's clash with defending champions Guangzhou Evergrande in Group H of the AFC Champions League.

With leaders Sydney FC on six points after three games, the Japanese outfit are just two points back, and only behind second-placed side Pohang Steelers due to head-to-head record, meaning a win could have a huge impact on their Round of 16 aspirations.

Asia’s reigning kings Guangzhou are, surprisingly, bottom of the group with two points from three games, and will be looking for their first win of the 2016 campaign after Urawa snatched a draw in China thanks to Shinzo Koroki last equaliser in the 2-2 draw

“It will be a difficult game and it will be harder than when we played away in Guangzhou,” said Urawa coach Petrovic. “You can call them the number one team in Asia and we play them with respect.

“They are a strong side, have high-quality players and need to beat us in order to qualify for the next stage. However, we did show that we are strong enough to compete against them in our away game.

“We’ll approach the game as if it was the final of the ACL, as the winner can get closer to winning in Asia. Although I don’t think we need to put extra pressures on our shoulders, we will come into the game with this attitude.”

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Two-time AFC Champions League winners Guangzhou made the trip to Japan following a 2-0 derby win over city-rivals Guangzhou R&F on Friday, but after their poor start to their continental title defence coach Luiz Felipe Scolari knows the significance of Tuesday’s tie.

“If we win, we have a chance. If we lose, we will be out of the Champions League. The team to lose on Tuesday will say bye-bye,” said the FIFA World Cup-winning coach.

“We all know it will be a very important match for both teams, so we have worked very hard. Urawa is a very strong team and is respected even in China, but we will do our best.

“My team all know what to do and are all aware that they have to do better, so we will just do what we have to do.”

Photo: Lagardère Sports

 

Source: the-afc.com

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