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Scolari urges players to take the most of home advantage

Xinhua, September 28, 2015 Adjust font size:

Coach Luiz Felipe Scolari has called on Guangzhou Evergrande to fully utilize home advantage in Wednesday's AFC Champions League semifinal first leg against fellow former champions Gamba Osaka at Tianhe Sport Center to ensure the Chinese champions go into the return fixture in Japan in three weeks' time on the front foot.

Guangzhou are seeking a return to the final of the tournament where they made history in 2013 by becoming the first Chinese team to lift the continental title in 23 years after edging out South Korea's FC Seoul on away goals and are unbeaten in all competitions since the end of May having defeated another J.League side, Kashiwa Reysol, in the quarter-finals a fortnight ago.

Opponents Gamba, though, have hosted the second leg in each of their last two knockout ties and secured victories over finalists FC Seoul and 2006 winners Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors to return to the final four for the first time since claiming the 2008 title.

"Every second on the field is going to be important in the game on Wednesday," World Cup-winning coach Scolari told the AFC official website.

"We have to try to avoid conceding a goal and ensure we play the second leg with a larger advantage. Gamba are a tough team, their manager Kenta Hasegawa has his own style, and anything can happen in football.

"The team has confidence, though, and the mood amongst the players is great. We are determined not to let our fans down in the coming match." Endi