Lippi leads Evergrande into AFC last 8
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E-mail China.org.cn, May 31, 2012
Marcello Lippi's Guangzhou Evergrande became the first Chinese side to reach the quarter-finals of the AFC Champions League since 2006 as a first half goal from Brazilian striker Cleo was enough to edge out Japanese Emperor's Cup winners FC Tokyo on Wednesday.
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Cleo's strike on the half-hour sent Evergrande into the last 8 of AFC Champions League. |
Brazilian striker Cleo's strike on the half-hour decided a pulsating match in front of a vociferous home crowd at Guangzhou's Tianhe Stadium as the host got over the line despite spurning a host of chances.
"Our team played as we expected. Our opponent was fast, they are not tall, but they have good technique, however we left little room for them to attack," said Lippi after just his third game in charge of the Chinese Super League champions.
"Before the match we welcomed back our injured players like Muriqui, now we have three months to improve the levels of fitness."
The home side posed the greater attacking threat inside the opening half of an hour and were rewarded for their bright start and took the lead after 31 minutes through Brazilian striker Cleo.
Muriqui's clever chip over a static FC Tokyo defence found the run of right-back Cho, and with Gonda charging off his line, the Korean coolly turned the ball across the face of goal for Cleo to tap into an empty net.
Cleo and captain Zheng Zhi both went close for the home side at the start of the second half as Guangzhou came out strongly after the break, while at the other end Kazuma Watanabe headed just wide as the visitors created a rare attacking threat.
FC Tokyo captain Yohei Kajiyama sent an effort skipping wide of the upright with 15 minutes remaining with the visitor's struggling to break down a well-organised Guangzhou defence.
The home side, though, were almost caught out with five minutes remaining as Lucas headed onto the outside of the post before Gao and Muriqui both went close for Guangzhou. A stoppage time injury to Cho saw 10 minutes of added time played, but Guangzhou survived a frantic finish from FC Tokyo to secure their place in the quarter-finals.
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Marcello Lippi celebrates Evergrande's victory. |
