GUANGZHOU EVERGRANDE CHASING MORE SILVERWARE IN ASIAN CHAMPIONS LEAGUE FINAL

Evergrande Taobao - not shy about being the best forever.

Guangzhou Evergrande Taobao have already won a fifth Chinese Super League title in a row, but tonight they look to add a second Asian Champions League crown to their bursting trophy cabinet.

The team from the south of China have put themselves in the box seat for the two legged ACL Final, after battling out a 0-0 draw with hosts Al Ahli in the first leg. However, they're most likely to take the field without star striker Ricardo Goulart in the decider.

Goulart's importance can't be underestimated as he tops a number of the ACL's most important stats. The Brazilian is leading goalscorer (8), leading shot taker (33) and third highest ranked creative player.

Though Evergrande Taobao can boast numerous internationals and a bevy of Chinese National Team players, Goulart's goal scoring prowess will surely be missed. To counter that, fans will put currency in the team's irrepressible manager Felipe Scolari.

Scolari has weaved a magic wand over the team since arriving, and he remains undefeated at the helm of Evergrande. He spoke at the pre match press conference regarding the significance of the match to him, "I haven't been in China for so long. But I believe this game is important for both the players and myself, and I would like to grab the next championship of my career." The Brazilian gave little indication of the team's tactics.

The challenge for Evergrande though will be to find a goal without Goulart. They have many creative outlets in, Paulinho, Elkeson and Huang Bowen, however their opponents Al Ahli can capture the title with as little as a 1-1 draw over the 90 minutes. This will no doubt affect the mindset of the usually attack minded Chinese club.

For their part Al Ahli are appearing in their first continental final. It is in fact the first time the UAE club advanced beyond the group stage of the Asian Champions League. Amongst their squad is South Korean, Kwon, Kyung-Won and Brazilian Lima.

Lima has scored in four of the five ACL games he has played for Al Ahli. Kwon Kyung-Won has plenty of big game experience having played with mighty K-League outfit Jeonbuk in their 2013 and 2014 campaigns. Perhaps though the home grown talent Ahmed Khalil will pose the biggest threat to Guangzhou Evergrande, as the 24 year old has slotted six goals in the tournament so far.

For punters it's a hard one to pick as a number of unknowns are in play. Guangzhou without Goulart, Al Ahli without regular defender Abdelaziz Hussain, who inexplicably lost the plot and received a red card in the dying minutes of the first leg.

Asked whether he felt his Chinese teammates would be suffering mentally after a disappointing draw with Hong Kong on the international scene, Zheng Zhi's response was that of a winner.

"We may suffer from that game physically and psychologically, but we're all professionals. We can recover very well. I'm confident."

Story compiled by Tony Yang & Lew Dub.

East Asian Soccer writer Tony Yang meets the prize.

WESTERN SYDNEY WANDERERS - ASIA'S NEWEST MARQUEE CLUB

Guangzhou's manager giving the Egyptian ref some lip.

Western Sydney Wanderers have shocked the continent. Wests downed current Asian champs Guangzhou Evergrande overnight, in a match that had all the hallmarks of a classic. There was cut and thrust on the field, pure passion in the stands, and temper tantrums on the sidelines, as Marcello Lippi lost his rag in the latter stages.

After dominating the first half with their classy midfield, boasting Elkeson and Diamanti, the Chinese outfit was steamrolled in the second half. Guangzhou finished the match with a dominant 56 percent possession statistic, but the visitors produced less shots on goal than the red and black. For all their class and lack of 'fiscal restraint', Guangzhou just couldn't break down the out of season Wanderers. Not even tattooed right back Zhang, Linpeng could get beyond the well marshalled and willing defence. 

In the 60th minute the Wanderers shocked everyone, (except those that live in another reality) when they went ahead. The goal came via an innocuous looking cross that appeared manageable for your average weekend warrior, but Tom Juric's faint deflection was enough to steer the ball beyond the keeper's grasp. It's possible the keeper's vision was obstructed by his teammate Kim, Young-Gwon, who was tracking Juric. 

From that point on the temperature just continued to rise. Finally it all boiled over when Zhang, Linpeng was fouled by Iacopo La Rocca. La Rocca had jostled with Zhang until the referee blew his whistle, but in a sign of the frustration the champions were feeling, Zhang lashed out (with his back to La Rocca) and hit his opponent flush on the face with a backhander. Without hesitation Egyptian ref Mohamed Hassan flashed his red card at the right-back, kicking off a kerfuffle that didn't want to end. 

Already down to ten, things got worse for Guangzhou two minutes later. Wanderers' new signing Vitor Saba milked a foul after substitute Liu retaliated to an errant elbow from the wiry midfielder. A fraction of a second later as Saba hit the deck, Gao, Lin arrived on the scene. The striker tried to pull up - caught by surprise at Saba's theatrics - and did well to merely graze the Brazilian as he propped on his left leg. But once again referee Hassan saw red.

Saba writhes in 'pain' while Gao Lin sees red.

And so it was that mayhem ensued. Within the blink of an eye, Guangzhou's esteemed Italian manager was invading the pitch to give little Hassan some lip. It may have been deserved but Lippi can expect to be banished to the stands for the second leg. Along with a manager in the stands, Guangzhou will be without their 'go-to' striker Gao, Lin and defender Zhang, Linpeng. 

Next week sees the return leg, and it's a promoters dream. Australia's team from the football heartland, taking on the continental heavyweights, in their backyard. Vitally Wanderers go to China not having conceded an away goal, and carrying a 1-0 lead. 

KASHIWA WRESTLE WITH GUANGZHOU IN CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

It's a promoters dream but can Kashiwa Reysol expect to compete with Guangzhou Evergrande? Over the two legs of the Champions League semi final I think not. 

Kashiwa will host Guangzhou on Wenedsay night, September 25th. The two teams met twice in 2012 during the group stage, and the result then could well be repeated this year. While in Japan Kashiwa managed a 0-0 draw, but at Tianhe Stadium Guangzhou scored a comfortable 3-1 victory. It may be stating the obvious but Kashiwa need to pull out all stocks in order to prevent away goals while at Hitachi Stadium. The 'sun kings' won't want to be travelling to China next week needing away goals in front of a likely packed house.

Working in Kashiwa's favour is their recruitment of Cleo from Guangzhou Evergrande. The forward was recently quoted by the South China Morning Post saying, "I think their strength lies in their attacking player." He put a big emphasis on the contributions of Muriqui and Elkeson, and said of his own position that he wasn't focused on revenge. Also in Kashiwa's favour, fortunately or unfortunately is the fact that their J League hopes are dashed so the Champions League is no doubt the central focus. What is questionable though is Kashiwa's topsy turvy inconsistent form this year. East Asian Soccer noted recently that Kashiwa had lost a number of matches that they were expected to win, and over a two legged semi final this is sure to 'rear its ugly head' again.  

Meanwhile, Guangzhou have all the momentum with a 6-1 aggregate win over Qatar's Lekhwiya. Apart from personal favourite Muriqui, the Japanese should watch out for fullback Linpeng Zhang. The tattooed defender will be up and down the sideline all night ensuring the Kashiwa midfield doesn't get too comfortable. Manager Marcello Lippi spoke to the AFC website recently and gave a backhanded complement saying, "I have studied lots of DVDs and looked at how Kashiwa play and they have a good balance to their side and they are very stable." He added, "They have a strong away record but I am not sure why, maybe this is due to luck."

With captain Hidekazu Otani out due to suspension, and a lack of consistency being the only constant for Kashiwa it's only stage fright that can stop Guangzhou Evergrande from qualifying for the Asian Champions League Final. The two legged final will see them meet either FC Seoul or Esteghlal.  

GUANGZHOU POWER PAST MARINERS

Sometimes you walk away from a soccer ground wondering why you bothered to give up your hard earned dollars. The Asian Champions League Round of 16 match between Central Coast Mariners and Guangzhou Evergrande, was NOT one of those occasions.

The Chinese giants appeared to have underestimated their Australian opponents when the Mariners went ahead in the 7th minute. It was youngster Mitchell Duke whose lunging effort was redirected to give the Mariners a shock lead. It had the 4000 odd travelling Guangzhou fans gasping for oxygen. This wasn't the plan. But the team from Gosford continued their marauding raids down the flanks, particularly the left with Josh Rose contributing the most.



The inevitable momentum swing occurred in the 27th minute when Paraguayan international Barrios levelled the scores. The goal resulted after a breakaway, with midfielder Conca feeding the ball to the irrepressible Muriqui on the left. The Brazilian looked to send to the ball into the box, but the resulting scramble saw the ball land at the feet of Barrios. He buried a bouncing volley into Matt Ryan's net. The game had changed and Zac Anderson's bullying of Barrios off the ball was nullified.

The second half was dominated by Guangzhou as the cavalry charged. International striker Gao Lin had the crowd on their feet with a bicycle kick attempt on goal. Ryan tipped it over, much to the disappointment of the Guangzhou fans. They were rabid! The 'red tide' would keep rising though. Right fullback Zhang Linpeng was the Chinese version of the 'Duracell rabbit'. He was up and down the right wing all match and his shimmy on the edge of the box to round Mariners defender Josh Rose was worth the entry fee. Soon we were adding Muriqui's back-heeled shot to the highlights reel, as it glanced off the upright in the 71st minute.

It appeared the Mariners had decided the only way to muffle the Guangzhou attack was to play a high line and cramp the midfield. A risky tactic which eventually saw Muriqui punish the home team. A high ball was lofted into the centre of the field, and Barrios's poor first touch presented the ball in the path of Muriqui. The Brazilian took one touch and then unleashed. It was 2-1 in the 76th minute, and a mountain for the Mariners to climb. Nevertheless, the Mariners fans would see some more goal mouth action with the Guangzhou keeper forced to make an almost unsighted save late in regulation time.

The 2-1 first leg sees Guangzhou in a powerful position heading back to China. Next week's second leg will be played at Tianhe Stadium, and the Mariners can expect a sea of red to greet them. Guangzhou regularly attract crowds of 40,000, but the their are no guarantees in soccer, and while the Mariners were beaten at home, they certainly acquitted themselves well. Working in the Mariners favour is Guangzhou's cut and thrust style. They will definitely get some opportunities to score in China, but their execution will need to be spot on.

Barrios hits the deck at Gosford

Asia's largest travelling supporter group: Guangzhou