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Contra confident to make "big surprise" in AFC Champions league

Xinhua, February 23, 2015 Adjust font size:

Guangzhou R&F coach Contra Cosmin Marius believed his team could make a "big surprise" in AFC Champions league here on Monday.

"Facing best teams in Asia, it will be a test for our team. We want to win every game. We have this mentality and we have very good players. We hope we can pass the group stage and make a big surprise," the 39-year-old said in the press conference before the match against Gamba Osaka in Group F.

Contra's team cruised past over Warriors FC from Singapore 3-0 before upsetting Australian side Central Coast Mariners 3-1 in qualifying round to book the final place in Group F.

"We are in a very tough group. We will play against the most favorite side, and it will be a very tough game," said Contra.

Under coach Kenta Hasegawa, Gamba Osaka won 15 of their last 20 games to clinch the J. League title in 2014 season, came from two goals down to beat Sanfrecce Hiroshima 3-2 in the J. League Cup final and became only the second club to complete the Japanese treble with a 3-1 win over Montedio Yamagata in the Emperor's Cup final.

"I watched six games (videos) of Osaka in last season. They are a good team, they have strong players, they are aggressive, they have two of the best strikers in Japan," Contra said.

"Gamba and Guangzhou are on the same level. Gamba already played and won the competition, in this group they are the best team," he added.

In the current squad, Yasuhito Endo, goalkeeper Yosuke Fujigaya and Takahiro Futagawa all played for the Gamba team that won the AFC Champions League in 2008.

"No. 7 (Yasuhito Endo) is a key player, and their two strikers are very dangerous. We have to manage to do very well in defence, and we should be very careful about their counter-attack," the Romanian said. Endi