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Experience key for Evergrande, says star midfielder

Xinhua, September 24, 2015 Adjust font size:

Midfielder Huang Bowen believes Guangzhou Evergrande's experience of winning the 2013 AFC Champions League can be the key in propelling the Chinese Super League champions to a return to the continental final ahead of next week's semifinal first leg against Japan's Gamba Osaka at Tianhe Sport Centre Stadium.

Huang scored a stunning volley in last week's quarter-final second leg against J. League side Kashiwa Reysol as Luiz Felipe Scolari's Guangzhou earned a 1-1 draw at home to seal a 4-2 aggregate victory and set-up a meeting with Japanese treble winners Gamba, who edged out South Korean champions Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors 3-2 on aggregate.

The 28-year-old is one of seven who started against Kashiwa that also lined up against FC Seoul in the 2013 final, compared to just three of Gamba's 2008 winners remaining in the current squad.

"The experience of taking part in the 2013 AFC Champions League semifinal and final can give our players a lot more confidence ahead of this game with Gamba, and I hope that such confidence will play an important role in the semi-final," Huang, who started in both legs of the 2013 semifinal and final, told the Asian Football Confederation website.

"Gamba is a tough team and the semifinal is going to be difficult. It is imperative that we stay focused throughout the game, have faith in our performance, and I believe that the most important factor in securing victory is teamwork.

"We will do our best to win in the first leg, as it is a home game, and try not to let our opponent score." Endi