Elkeson expects tough battle for Evergrande
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E-mail China.org.cn, September 17, 2013
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Brazilian striker Elkeson scored as Guangzhou Evergrande beat Qatar's Lekhwiya 2-0 in the first leg of their AFC Champions League quarter-final last month. |
Super League champions Guangzhou Evergrande are seeking to become the first Chinese side to reach the semi-finals of the AFC Champions League in eight years, although Brazilian striker Elkeson is well aware of the tough test facing Marcello Lippi's side against Lekhwiya in Doha on Wednesday.
Elkeson marked his AFC Champions League debut in style last month as he and fellow South American Dario Conca scored inside the final 20 minutes as Guangzhou recorded a 2-0 win over Lekhwiya in the first leg at Tianhe Sport Center.
The Brazilian striker was also on target on Friday with his 21st goal of the season as Guangzhou beat Shanghai Shenhua 2-1 to remain 14 points clear at the top of the Super League table, although Elkeson knows the Chinese side still face a tough task in Doha if they are to follow in the footsteps of 2005 semi-finalists Shenzhen Jianlibao.
"We were happy with the performance in the first leg, which was a very important match for us," said Elkeson, who joined Guangzhou at the start of the season after the Super League side lost to Saudi Arabia's Al Ittihad in the quarter-finals on their debut appearance last year.
"We are now thinking about the second leg away from home which will be a much more difficult game. This game will cause us problems, but we will do our best to qualify for the semi-finals.
"Lekhwiya are a strong team and as it's the quarter-finals of the AFC Champions League it's always going to be difficult to win games.
"We managed to play really well in the first game at home and now we want to achieve another one of our goals and qualify for the semi-finals."
Lekhwiya, who are appearing in the knockout stages of the AFC Champions League for the first time, were able to open the new Qatar Stars League season with a 3-3 draw with Al Sailiya on Friday as Eric Gerets' side fought back from two goals behind.
Gerets, though, will be without defender Madjid Bougherra and midfield duo Issiar Dia and Adel Lamy due to suspension against Guangzhou.
Al Shabab or Kashiwa Reysol are awaiting in the semi-finals for either Guangzhou or Lekhwiya, with the Saudi League side in pole position to advance having claimed a 1-1 draw in Japan in the first leg last month.
Japan international Masato Kudo had given the Emperor's Cup holders the lead after 21 minutes but a spectacular volley from Fernando Menegazzo a minute before half-time secured a draw for Al Shabab.
And while Al Shabab beat Al Raed 5-2 on Thursday, Kashiwa make the trip to Riyadh having suffered a 3-1 defeat by lowly Jubilo Iwata in the J.League on Friday.
"We've played six games since we met Al Shabab in the first leg," said Reysol coach Nelsinho Baptista.
"We have four wins and two defeats and the condition of the team is getting better and better.
"I don't think Al Shabab will make any significant changes and we know what they are capable of. They have a very technical style and know how to play high quality possession football so we need to be careful, especially as their forwards can attack quickly.
"We can't go through to the next round if we draw 0-0 or if we lose, but we haven't lost an away game yet in the AFC Champions League. We want to win. We're not looking for a draw and we are optimistic."
On the other side of the draw, K-League champions FC Seoul will look to build on a 1-1 draw with 2012 finalists Al Ahli in Saudi Arabia, while Thailand's Buriram United entertain Iran's Esteghlal having lost the first leg 1-0 last month.
FC Seoul, who beat Pohang Steelers 2-0 on Wednesday, are boosted by the return of Brazilian defender Adilson from suspension as Choi Yong-soo's seek to convert a third quarter-final appearance in five years.
Al Ahli, meanwhile, beat Al Orubah 1-1 on Wednesday to extend their unbeaten start to the new Saudi League season.
Elsewhere, Buriram welcome back Theerathon Bunmathan as the Thai Premier League leaders look to overturn a one-goal deficit from the first leg in Tehran when they take on Esteghlal.
Buriram remained five points clear at the top of the Thai Premier League after beating BEC Tero Sasana 2-0 on Saturday, while Iran champions Esteghlal suffered a 2-0 defeat by Zob Ahan on Thursday prior to arriving in Thailand at the weekend.
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