Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Dubai: Coach Luiz Felipe Scolari insisted China’s Guangzhou Evergrande fell short of expectations in Saturday’s AFC Champions League final first leg despite the 2013 winners claiming a goalless draw against Al Ahli of the United Arab Emirates at Rashid Stadium.
Guangzhou had the better of the chance with captain Zheng Zhi and substitute Yu Hanchao both denied by Al Ahli goalkeeper Ahmed Mahmoud, while midfielder Huang Bowen struck the underside of the crossbar at the start of the second half.
And Guangzhou, who claimed a fifth consecutive Chinese Super League title last weekend, now welcome 2014 Arabian Gulf League champions Al Ahli to Tianhe Sport Centre Stadium in two weeks for the decisive second leg.
ACL 2015 Final 1st leg: Al Ahli 0-0 Guangzhou Evergrande
“It was an even match, both teams had chances to score but both did not score and the second half in Guangzhou will be a fight,” said 2002 FIFA World Cup-winning Brazilian coach Scolari (pictured).
“If we still play like this it will be difficult for us, we did not play well tonight.
“I think tonight is a fair result as I did not see our team create a lot of chances. The pressure is still the same for both of the teams.”
Guangzhou do not have any further domestic commitments ahead of the return fixture, although a large section of the squad will join up with the China national team for joint 2018 FIFA World Cup and 2019 AFC Asian Cup qualifiers against Bhutan and Hong Kong.
Korea Republic international Kim Young-gwon, who missed the first leg due to suspension, is also set to link up with his national team for second round qualifiers against Myanmar and Laos.
“After we return to Guangzhou, I must first wait 12 or 13 days for the players to comeback from the national team as they must first play for the national team and then I will make adjustments then begin preparations for the second leg,” added Scolari, who is looking to follow in the footsteps of Marcello Lippi after the Italian masterminded Guangzhou’s 2013 domestic and continental double.
“After we are back in Guangzhou I will make adjustments with the things I did not like in this match after I have also talked to the players.”
Scolari, though, could be without AFC Champions League leading scorer Ricardo Goulart for the second leg after the Brazilian was forced off in the second half on Saturday with an ankle injury.
“Goulart has an ankle injury and it might be difficult for him to play in the second leg,” said Scolari.
Photo: WSG