Lippi's Guangzhou poised for Asia's last eight

AFP
Guangzhou Evergrande's Muriqui (L) shoots past Mariners goalkeeper Mathew Ryan during their game on May 15, 2013

SINGAPORE (AFP) –

Guangzhou Evergrande’s Muriqui (L) shoots past Mariners goalkeeper Mathew Ryan during their game on May 15, 2013. Guangzhou will look to sweep aside the challenge of the Mariners and book their spot in the AFC Champions League last eight for the second year running this week.

Marcello Lippi’s Guangzhou Evergrande will look to sweep aside the challenge of Central Coast Mariners and book their spot in the AFC Champions League last eight for the second year running this week.

The Chinese domestic double-winners hold a 2-1 advantage from last week’s round of 16 first leg, when goals from Lucas Barrios and Muriqui secured a stylish win at the Mariners’ ground in Gosford, Australia.

Attractive, free-flowing football, inspired by their South American attack, has made well-heeled Guangzhou — the “Manchester United of Asia”, according to Mariners assistant coach Phil Moss — many people’s favourites for the title.

But on Wednesday, the Mariners will do their utmost to deny the Chinese team and dash Lippi’s hopes of adding to his career coaching haul of one World Cup, one UEFA Champions League trophy and five Serie A titles with Juventus.

Central Coast Mariners' Mitchell Duke (L) and Guangzhou's Zhoa Xuri are pictured during their match on May 15, 2013

Central Coast Mariners’ Mitchell Duke (L) and Guangzhou Evergrande’s Zhoa Xuri are pictured during their match on May 15, 2013. The Chinese domestic double-winners hold a 2-1 advantage from last week’s round of 16 first leg.

“There’s no hiding the fact that it’s going to be tough, but they are at home and they’ve got all the pressure on them — they’re expected to win the AFC Champions League,” said Mariners coach Graham Arnold.

“We’ve got to go out and put in our best performance. We’re 90 minutes away from reaching the last eight in Asia and that’s the way we’ve got to look at it,” he added, according to a club press release.

Guangzhou, who reached the quarter-finals on debut last year, warmed up with a 4-1 win on Saturday over Liaoning Whowin — China’s last Asian champions, in 1990 — while the Mariners are in post-season after claiming the Australian title in April.

South Korea’s Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors, the only previous Champions League winners still standing, also have an uphill battle against Japanese team Kashiwa Reysol after going down 2-0 at home last week.

Thailand’s unheralded Buriram United are tantalisingly close to the quarter-finals after shocking Uzbek giants Bunyodkor 2-1 in the first leg last week.

And South Korean champions FC Seoul face a nerve-jangling evening on Tuesday when they host China’s Beijing Guoan, with the scores deadlocked at 0-0 from last week.

Among the other fixtures, Saudi Arabia’s Al Shabab hold a 2-1 advantage over Al Gharafa, and Iran’s Esteghlal look home and dry after scoring four away goals in their 4-2 win over Al Shabab Al Arabi of the UAE.

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Edited by Staff Editor