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Guangzhou seek to sink rivals, Beijing confident to advance

Xinhua, May 5, 2015 Adjust font size:

Fabio Cannavaro said his Guangzhou Evergrande will spare no effort to grab three points from the clash with defending champions Western Sydney Wanderers in the AFC champions league group H here on Tuesday night.

Guangzhou have already sealed top spot in their group with 10 points. But their mission, if accomplished, will send the Wanderers to be the first defending champions to go out at group stage.

"I always hope we can win every game, of course we will target the win," said Cannavaro in the pre-match press conference.

The clash between the 2013 and 2014 champions means much more despite neither of the two teams has a long history in AFC champions league.

Guangzhou Evergrande and Western Sydney Wanderers first met in last season's quarterfinals with the Australian side advancing on away goals after a 1-0 win in Australia and 2-1 defeat in China. With Goulart's hat-trick, Guangzhou gained revenge for that defeat with a 3-2 win at Sydney in March.

For Western Sydney Wanderers, they must win at Tianhe Sports Center and hoping Seoul FC draw Kashima Antlers to book a place in the last 16.

Cannavaro knew exactly what their opponent wanted, and how his team could get advantage from it.

"I know Western Sydney will play aggressively because they have to win to qualify. We can take good advantage of this opportunity," the Italian said.

Meanwhile, Beijing Guo'an need just a single point to advance to the last 16 in their final group match against Suwon Bluewings. The Chinese side have a chance to get through on goal difference even if they lost.

With the K League Classic side already through to the knockout stage, coach Gregorio Manzano was confident his team could make it.

What really troubled Manzano is how to arrange his formation without the injured and suspended players. Beijing will be without suspended trio Lang Zheng, Ha Dae-sung and Yu Dabao, as well as injured center-back Xu Yunlong.

"It is difficult for us without a few key players, especially when many of them are in the same position, but we are ready," the 59-year-old Spanish said. Endi