Date: 14.12.2013 (16:00 Agadir) TV Coverage / Convert Time Zone Can fast-rising Guangzhou Evergrande extend its success beyond Asia in a quarterfinal that brings back memories of the Afro-Asian Cup? CWC regulars Al Ahly (5th appearance) certainly have other plans and club legend Mohamed Aboutrika still has the skill-set to decide a match by himself as evident in the African final. The winner will face European champions Bayern Munich in the semifinals.
Anyone here seen both these teams and can comment on how they think these two will do against one another?
I have seen both and would currently give Guangzhou the edge. Al Ahly has the history and reputation but not being able to play regular domestic football since the Port Said disaster in February 2012 has clearly left its mark. Guangzhou Evergrande is a well coached team that only needed two attempts to win the AFC Champions League, rising from the Chinese 2nd division as recent as 2010. Marcello Lippi has done a good job here.
How they got here... Guangzhou Evergrande (AFC Champions League) Club Honours: - 3 Chinese League Titles - 1 AFC Champions League Title CWC Participation: 1st (2013) Guangzhou Evergrande lost the first leg of the CFA Cup last night 2-0 to Guizhou Renhe, so the scenario of an Asian treble winner meeting the European treble winner in the semis now looks more unlikely. Al Ahly (CAF Champions League) Club Honours: - 36 Egyptian League Titles - 8 CAF Champions League Titles - 1 Afro-Asian Cup Of Note: 3rd place at the 2006 CWC CWC Participation: 5th (2005, 2006, 2008, 2012, 2013)
Full matches of both teams finals (AFC and CAF champions league) CAF Champions league Final 1st leg 480p Arabic CAF Champions League Final 2nd leg 480p Arabic AFC Champions League Final 1st leg 1080p HD English AFC Champions League Final 2nd leg 1080p HD English
Al Ahly requires little introduction, even to those who don't follow African club football on a regular basis. They are hands down the most successful club in Egypt and all of Africa. With an estimated fan-base of up to 50 million they truly deserve the label of a giant. Their presence would normally be no surprise, but given their lack of regular domestic football since February 2012 (first due to the Port Said tragedy and then political unrest) back-to-back titles in the CAF Champions League are certainly impressive. Guangzhou Evergrande may need a bit more introduction. I recommend you read this article if you haven't already. Guangzhou Evergrande and the making of Asia's first 'superclub': http://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2013/oct/28/guangzhou-asian-cup-final-seoul Their rise has been truly meteoric since the Evergrande Real Estate Group bought the club in 2010. From the Chinese second division they immediately won the Chinese Super League after promotion in 2011. They reached the AFC Champions League quarterfinals in 2012 only to win it all this year after only two attempts. It was the first title for China in 23 years. Unlike Shanghai Shenhua with the Anelka/Drogba fiasco, Evergrande spent their money wisely - not only bringing in big name foreigners like Dario Conca but also acquiring most of the domestic talent and improving the infrastructure and youth development. With a foreigner limit of four in the AFC CL you need to have quality domestic players on your roster. Marcello Lippi was the final piece of the puzzle and since a lot of players overlap between Evergrande and the national team there are talks of Lippi coaching China as well. You can't help but be impressed and this may very well be the club that pulls the rest of the CSL out of the wilderness.
Also as of this year, they have won the most international titles tied with Boca Juniors and AC Milan (18 each). Shame the Egyptian National team always choke in qualifying for the World Cup, as they are a true footballing nation.
So a meeting between continental treble winners is definitely out of the question in the semis. This of course doesn't take anything away from Guangzhou's otherwise terrific season. From 2nd division to confederation champions in three years - has that ever been achieved? It does however raise the question if Guangzhou is running a bit out of steam after a long season. Al Ahly definitely has the advantage there, they are well rested. Quite curious about the crowd in this match. Since Evergrande is very generous in sponsoring away travel for supporters we should see several thousand Guangzhou fans in Agadir. Not sure how easy it is to travel to Morocco for Egyptians these days, but if the visa process is reasonable Al Ahly should also have a strong presence.
The games getting closer. At this point I think burnout might be a factor for Guangzhou, along with the recent interest in them from abroad. They are expected to perform and have the whole of China on their shoulders. It's like the game in China survives on their shoulders - I think it's too much too soon. Al Ahly, they have experience on their side and are playing in a region they know well. I think they will do it, upset neutral fans who might side more with the Guangzhou story along the way
I dunno if it has ever been achieved before, but Tijuana might achieve it in the current Concacaf CL and Club León will have its change in the next edition as well.
I think Guangzhou will win the game . Conca is leaving soon, and probably it is his last chance to fight in the world stage. Eelkeson is a very good player , young and ambition. Even though the Chinese domestic player sucks .
Yeah. the Defense is definitely a huge problem. And Guangzhou has played about 60 games this year. But I believe lippi has his own way to deal with it . Hey but the way, how can I start a thread in the forum to be discussed, I am a new comer here. Thank you
I disagree. The four foreign players couldn't have carried the team to the ACL title by themselves. There is quality on this team, and it's not just the three South Americans (and the Korean.)
I disagree. Look at the final of the China FA Cup when Muriqui and Elkeson missed the second leg due to suspension...they lose the final. Only they make the difference...noboby else.
Agreed. the domestic player can make team, but make no difference . without the foreign players, or when the foreign players are not in a good shape, Guangzhou is in danger.
Your forgetting Kim Young-gown(south Korean international) Well not all the Chinese players suck. Zheng Zhi has experience at a high level and maybe Zhang Linpeng is pretty good.
@SwissGCZ The problem is Lippi believe the three South Americans can make Guangzhou different which is absolutely correct. Chinese players burnout when we watch the final of the China FA Cup, but their opponent is good with their body. Anyway,the QF1 is really hard.
Guangzhou wont the 2nd leg without these players.....they lost the first leg with these players.....go figure.
Don't forget, Guangzhou played a decent side in Guizhou and won the 2nd leg with their Chinese players. They lost 1st leg with their foreign contingent. Guangzhou also just come off a long campaign, with semis rushed through and ACL final where Guizhou had a break.
@druryfire What I just said is what Lippi told the media after Guangzhou won the 2nd leg with Guizhou. I was thinking Lippi usually can make the team work well,but a team is a team,the weakness of Guangzhou is the 3 South Americans. The match can't work well without them.
Of course it's a weakness when these players are their attacking flair, but they didn't play the FA Cup final 2nd leg and still won - so the Chinese players are doing their bit aswell. But it is a team game, Guangzhou will meet Al Ahly with their South Americans. The argument of foreign players or not is completely misleading really as it doesn't matter.