Guangzhou tipped as favorite after kind last-8 draw
Source: AFP |
June 21, 2013, Friday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
MARCELLO Lippi's Guangzhou Evergrande dodged the toughest teams when it was drawn against Qatar's Lekhwiya in the AFC quarterfinals yesterday.
Guangzhou, seeking to become China's first Asian champion in nearly a quarter of a century, will start as a firm favorite over two legs against the two-time Qatari champion.
South Korea's FC Seoul, contesting its third Champions League quarterfinal in five years, was paired against Saudi Arabian giant al-Ahli, which is unbeaten in this year's competition.
Japan's Emperor's Cup-holder Kashiwa Reysol drew another Saudi outfit al-Shabab, and Esteghlal of Iran is up against the tournament's surprise package, Thailand's Buriram United.
Following the draw made by Asian Football Confederation officials in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, the quarterfinals will be played home and away on August 21 and September 18.
World Cup-winning coach Lippi steered Guangzhou to the Chinese league and cup double last season and he is now hoping to replicate his 1996 continental success with Italian club Juventus.
Guangzhou, led by free-scoring Brazilian forward Muriqui and accomplished midfielder Dario Conca, swept aside Australian champion Central Coast Mariners in the last 16 after topping its group in the pool stage.
China's last Asian title-holder was Liaoning, which won the Asian Club Championship, the precursor of the AFC Champions League, in 1990.
Guangzhou, seeking to become China's first Asian champion in nearly a quarter of a century, will start as a firm favorite over two legs against the two-time Qatari champion.
South Korea's FC Seoul, contesting its third Champions League quarterfinal in five years, was paired against Saudi Arabian giant al-Ahli, which is unbeaten in this year's competition.
Japan's Emperor's Cup-holder Kashiwa Reysol drew another Saudi outfit al-Shabab, and Esteghlal of Iran is up against the tournament's surprise package, Thailand's Buriram United.
Following the draw made by Asian Football Confederation officials in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, the quarterfinals will be played home and away on August 21 and September 18.
World Cup-winning coach Lippi steered Guangzhou to the Chinese league and cup double last season and he is now hoping to replicate his 1996 continental success with Italian club Juventus.
Guangzhou, led by free-scoring Brazilian forward Muriqui and accomplished midfielder Dario Conca, swept aside Australian champion Central Coast Mariners in the last 16 after topping its group in the pool stage.
China's last Asian title-holder was Liaoning, which won the Asian Club Championship, the precursor of the AFC Champions League, in 1990.
- About Us
- |
- Terms of Use
- |
-
RSS - |
- Privacy Policy
- |
- Contact Us
- |
- Shanghai Call Center: 962288
- |
- Tip-off hotline: 52920043
- 沪ICP证：沪ICP备05050403号-1
- |
- 互联网新闻信息服务许可证：31120180004
- |
- 网络视听许可证：0909346
- |
- 广播电视节目制作许可证：沪字第354号
- |
- 增值电信业务经营许可证：沪B2-20120012
Copyright © 1999- Shanghai Daily. All rights reserved.Preferably viewed with Internet Explorer 8 or newer browsers.
