R&F'S TIE AGAINTS GAMBA CRUCIAL SAYS CONTRA

Guangzhou: Guangzhou R&F coach Cosmin Contra underlined the importance of Wednesday’s crucial encounter with Japanese treble winners Gamba Osaka in Group F of the AFC Champions League knowing that defeat could see them eliminated from the continental tournament.

The Chinese Super League side head into the game at the Yuexiu Stadium looking for their first win since defeating the J.League champions 2-0 in Osaka on Matchday One.

But having lost their previous home games 2-1 and 1-0 to Thailand’s Buriram United and Seongnam FC of Korea Republic respectively, they will be aiming to reverse their fortunes in front of their own supporters.

And after securing an impressive scoreless draw in Seongnam City on Matchday Four, Contra will be hoping for a positive result on Matchday Five to keep the pressure on group leaders Buriram and second-placed Seongnam, who both have seven points from four games, three ahead of the Chinese team.

“It will be a very important match that will be decisive in terms of our qualification to the next round,” said Contra, whose side will be eliminated if they suffer a third consecutive home defeat and Buriram do not lose at Seongnam in Wednesday’s other Group F encounter.

“Our opponent has played many games since our first encounter and, as far as I know, they have won the past few so are on a good run.

“Recently we have had some difficulties winning games at home because the teams we have played have been good at defending.

“ACL games are very fast and we have learnt a lot from them. We have to keep our faith and win the game. We will treat the game like a final.”

Gamba coach Kenta Hasegawa, meanwhile, takes his side into the game on a strong run of form having claimed four points from two games against group leaders Buriram, but knowing that defeat on Wednesday will send them out of the continental competition.

After their opening day reversal at home to Guangzhou, Gamba then suffered a 2-0 defeat at Seongnam and looked set for an early elimination from the tournament.

But a 1-1 draw at home to Buriram on Matchday Three was followed by a 2-1 away victory against the same side on Matchday Four to give the 2008 champions renewed hope of qualifying for the Round of 16.

“We are at a very difficult stage right now at the bottom of the group so I hope we can win this game to keep our hopes alive of qualifying for the next round,” said Hasegawa.

“In the home game against R&F we conceded at the beginning, but in this match we will pay lots of attention to defending.

“Our players will have to get used to the atmosphere quickly; we don’t have any excuses and we have to win even though it is an away game.”