Michael Laudrup and Fabio Cannavaro were giants of the global game as players and can take a big step towards coaching success in Asia this week by guiding their teams to the knockout stage of the Asian Champions League (ACL).
With four games of the group phase completed and two to go, both Europeans are well-placed to take one of the top two spots in their respective groups and progress.
Former Real Madrid and Juventus centre-back Cannavaro succeeded Marcello Lippi at Chinese giant Guangzhou Evergrande in November and a draw at FC Seoul will be enough for the Italian, who has already spent about $30 million (Dh110m) to bring Brazilians Ricardo Goulart and Alan to a club that has won the past four Chinese Super League titles.
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Laudrup, who played for Barcelona and Real Madrid, captured the Qatar league title this month with Lekhwiya and a win at home to Iran’s Persepolis will take the Doha team to the second round if Saudi Arabia’s Al Nassr fail to defeat Bunyodkor of Uzbekistan.
“Things are not determined yet as all the teams in the group still have a chance to advance to the knockout stage and we should put more effort to achieve our target,” said Laudrup, who was sacked by English Premier League club Swansea City in February 2014 and arrived in Doha five months later.
“There were a lot of challenges this season,” the former Denmark international said of his success at the club.
“We had national competitions. We had players injured. It was very, very tough. You can’t compare with the Spanish League or the Premier League. This was tough because there were many things that we had to deal with during the season.”
Guangzhou won their first three games in Group G before losing 2-1 to Kashima Antlers of Japan and will be without suspended midfielders Zou Zheng and Huang Bowen for the visit to South Korea.
“We have to remain calm and confident and focus on the two games remaining,” 2006 World Cup winning captain Cannavaro said. “I am confident that we can get the job done if we put in the work.”
The showdown with FC Seoul is a replay of the 2013 continental final, but there are few thoughts of revenge on the minds of the South Korean team who are struggling domestically.
A 5-1 thrashing on Sunday at the hands of local rivals Suwon Bluewings leaves Choi Yong-soo’s men just above the K-League relegation zone.
Defending champions Western Sydney Wanderers drew with Seoul in the previous round and host Japan’s Kashima Antlers in Australia. If the seven time J-League champions lose, then dreams of a first Asian title will be over for another year.
A win keeps the Wanderers in contention for the knockout stage and should take minds off a disappointing A-League campaign. The team has spent much of the current season rooted to the bottom of the domestic standings although a 2-1 win over Adelaide United on Saturday moved the team into ninth and improved confidence levels.
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