Luiz Felipe Scolari’s Guangzhou Evergrande expect to sweep into the Asian Champions League semi-finals when they host Kashiwa Reysol on Tuesday with their free-scoring Brazilian contingent in top form.
Guangzhou’s Brazilians scored all three goals in Saturday’s 3-0 romp against Shanghai SIPG which allowed the side to replace Sven-Goran Eriksson’s men at the top of the Chinese Super League.
Robinho, Ricardo Goulart and Elkeson were on target, while Paulinho scored a 40-yard screamer in last month’s 3-1 first-leg win at Kashiwa.
But former Brazil manager Scolari is taking nothing for granted despite the luxury of a two-goal cushion.
“The atmosphere in Tianhe Sports Centre is wonderful. We have excellent supporters who always give us great support in every game,” Scolari said.
“The first leg of the quarter-final was fascinating and both sides showed their own merits, though we did a better job in terms of scoring. But that has already become history, right now we have to focus on the upcoming match.
“In my opinion, Kashiwa are the strongest opponents we’ve encountered so far in my tenure as Guangzhou coach, and they will certainly make the second leg a tough game for us.”
Kashiwa are not the only team with a mountain to climb on Tuesday, when Lekhwiya of Qatar will try to overturn a 4-1 deficit against Saudi side Al Hilal.
On Wednesday, Gamba Osaka must cope without suspended leading scorer Takashi Usami when they host Jeonbuk Motors with the tie level at 0-0 after the first leg.
Al Ahli will defend a 1-0 advantage when they entertain Iran’s Naft Tehran in Dubai.
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