Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Beijing: Beijing Guoan coach Gregorio Manzano is optimistic that defenders Zhao Hejing, Xu Yunglong and Li Lei will all re-join the backline of the Group G leaders as they prepare to face Australian champions Brisbane Roar on Tuesday at Workers’ Stadium where a positive result would see the Chinese Super League side progress to the AFC Champions League Round of 16 with a game to spare.
The Chinese capital city side need only avoid defeat to secure their place in the knockout stages, and they will win the group outright if they beat Brisbane and Korea Republic’s Suwon Samsung fail to down Japan’s Urawa Red Diamonds in Tuesday’s other game. If Urawa were to come out on top against Suwon, a draw would also be enough for undefeated Beijing to clinch the group and their odds of doing so could be aided by the return of a defensive trio who were all absent from Friday’s 2-2 draw with Guizhou Renhe in the Chinese Super League with injury. “From the data I can see now, Zhao Heijing should play, but I can't guarantee anything until I see his training. On top of that, Xu Yunglong is recovered, and Li Lei is also ok with his ankle now. If they are all well in the training, that is a good news for us,” said Manzano who will, though, have defender Lang Zheng suspended. “We have to win the game to nail down the qualification. We are aware that our opponent has to win to avoid elimination. But we are confident at home; we won't give them any opportunities. “The game against Guizhou last weekend was an accident. I believe my players can cope with tomorrow's match.” The scenario for Frans Thijssen’s Brisbane side dictates that a win in Beijing guarantees they remain in contention for the Round of 16 when they play their final group game in a fortnight’s time. However, defeat would result in elimination for Brisbane, while a draw could still see them exit the tournament should Suwon avoid defeat against Urawa. “Our opponents have done very well in the AFC Champions League so far and I know that Beijing have a lot of good players with different combinations in the frontline, so our main mission will be to cancel out their forwards,” said Brisbane coach Thijssen. “It was a long trip for us to travel here and we’ve had only three days to prepare, so I will be looking to rotate some players. “We are looking forward to this game and we hope it will be an entertaining one.”