J.League champions eye ACL progress
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E-mail China.org.cn, April 14, 2014
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Sanfrecce Hiroshima can secure a place in the last 16 of the AFC Champions League on Wednesday against Beijing Guoan in China following their draw with 2013 finalists FC Seoul earlier this month. |
J.League champions Sanfrecce Hiroshima and Australia's Central Coast Mariners are amongst a host of sides in the hunt for a place in the last 16 of the AFC Champions League on Wednesday.
In stark contrast to last season's disappointing campaign, Hiroshima know victory over Beijing Guoan in China coupled with a win for Central Coast over 2013 finalists FC Seoul in Australia will send both sides through from Group F with a game to spare.
Last year, again as Japanese champions, Hiroshima posted just three draws en route to a second group stage exit, but this year Hajime Moriyasu's side find themselves second in the table behind Central Coast following their 2-2 draw with FC Seoul earlier this month.
Hiroshima, though, will be without defender Hiroki Mizumoto due to suspension against Beijing.
Central Coast, who will play Adelaide United in the A-League play-offs on Saturday, did reach the Round of 16 last year before losing to eventual champions Guangzhou Evergrande and are again firmly in contention following their 1-0 win over FC Seoul at the start of April.
Elsewhere, three-time continental champions Pohang Steelers can secure a return to the knockout stage for the first time since 2010 by avoiding defeat against Cerezo Osaka in Japan.
The 2009 AFC Champions League winners currently top Group E with an unbeaten record ahead of Cerezo and China's Shandong Luneng, who travel to Thailand to face Buriram United.
Defeat would not bring an end to Cerezo's campaign, although 2013 quarter-finalists Buriram would be eliminated should the winless Thai treble winners fail to beat Shandong.
Cerezo's task, though, is complicated with the suspension of defender Takahiro Ohgihara and Serbian midfielder Gojko Kacar.
“It was a very entertaining match and crucial for the rest of our group games. Shandong is a strong opponent and their fans are fantastic. This win means a lot to us and it will be decisive to us in the remaining of games,” said Pohang coach Hwang Sun-hong after seeing his side beat Shandong 4-2 in China earlier this month.
“My confidence is from our football style. We have tried very hard to build our own style and strength. Tactically we are different from the old Pohang Steelers last season.”
Shandong must do without Brazilian striker Vagner Love and defender Dai Lin, while Spaniard Carmelo Gonzalez will miss the fixture for Buriram.
In Group B, Qatar's El Jaish and newly crowned Iran champions Foolad Khouzestan can wrap up the qualification picture with the sides set to meet at Ghadir Stadium, while Uzbekistan's Bunyodkor entertain Saudi Arabia's Al Fateh.
Unbeaten duo El Jaish and Khouzestan currently lead the way with a six point cushion, and a draw on Wednesday would be enough to send both sides into the last 16, although victory for either side would guarantee top spot.
Khouzestan can also lose to El Jaish and still advance should Bunyodkor fail to beat Al Fateh.
Finally in Group A, Saudi Arabia's Al Shabab will secure a place in the last 16 for a second consecutive season by avoiding defeat to Iran's Esteghlal.
And second place Al Jazira will also advance should they get a better result against Al Rayyan in Qatar than Esteghlal manage against 2013 quarter-finalists Al Shabab.
Esteghlal reached the semi-finals of the AFC Champions League last year but are on the verge of elimination after winning just one of their four games, while Al Rayyan must beat Al Jazira to remain in contention ahead of next week's final round of fixtures.
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