Guangzhou Evergrande manager Luiz Felipe Scolari has urged his side not to underestimate Japan's Gamba Osaka when they square off in the AFC Champions League semi-final second leg
Guangzhou Evergrande manager Luiz Felipe Scolari has urged his side not to underestimate Japan's Gamba Osaka when they square off in the AFC Champions League semi-final second leg at the Expo '70 Commemorative Stadium on Wednesday.
Scolari's side remain unbeaten in all conditions since the Brazilian took over from Fabio Cannavaro in June this year, but was thoroughly tested by the Japanese treble winners when they met in last month's first leg.
Guangzhou won the first leg 2-1 thanks to goals either side of half-time by Huang Bowen and Zheng Zhi, but the away goal Gamba scored by virtue of Feng Xiaoting's first half own-goal means the tie is balanced on a knife-edge.
"I have told the team that the game is not finished yet and anything can still happen, so we have to be very careful still," the 2002 World Cup-winning coach is quoted by the official AFC website.
"Gamba Osaka is certainly the best team I have encountered since taking over as coach of Guangzhou. Their team has experience and ability.
"But my players did well in the first leg and I was pleased with them. And I believe they will play well in the second leg. Our team has one goal: win the game.
"I do not believe playing away from home will have too much impact on our performance. No matter playing at home or away we always do our best in every game and strive for victory.
"The most important thing is that my players perform to my expectations and play with confidence and strength. Getting to the AFC Champions League final would be a great honour."
Guangzhou midfielder Huang was a member of the Evergrande side that won the 2013 title, and the 28-year-old has once again played a major role in the Chinese side's run of form - he has scored in each of the knockout stages of this year's competition to date.
"We are more mature now than the side that won the title two years ago. This campaign has seen some similarities in terms of taking each stage a game at a time, but the most important thing is that the goal of the team has never changed: to win the AFC Champions League trophy," Huang said.
"Gamba are a great football club. Last season they won the treble in Japan, which shows their strength, but it doesn't matter who our opponent is, we always strive for victory.
"It is very important to get to the AFC Champions League final again with my team and prove that Guangzhou are one of the best teams in Asia."
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