DUBAI // Luiz Felipe Scolari, the Guangzhou Evergrande manager, said his side need to make a significant improvement in the return leg if they are to claim a second Asian Champions League title.
The former Brazil manager was in testy mood after his side, who are far more experienced on this platform than Al Ahli, were held to a stalemate in Dubai.
His spirit was helped little by the loss of Ricardo Goulart to an ankle injury which may keep the Brazilian playmaker out of the second match in two weeks time.
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Scolari suggested it “was the opponent’s fault” and “the referee did nothing” in relation to Goulart’s injury, but did concede the eventual result, a 0-0 draw, had been a fair one.
“Both teams had their chances to score, neither were able to take them,” Scolari said. “The second leg in Guangzhou will be a fight.
Scolari said the amendments he will make for the match in Guangzhou will be largely dependent on which players return from national duty with China, who play Hong Kong four days before in a 2018 World Cup qualifier, with a clean bill of health.
pradley@thenational.ae
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