Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Shanghai: Shanghai SIPG coach Sven Goran Eriksson is sweating on the fitness of forwards Elkeson and Asamoah Gyan ahead of Tuesday's AFC Champions League playoff against Thailand’s Muangthong United, while captain Sun Xiang is ruled out through injury.
Runners-up in the Chinese Super League last year, Shanghai brought in two-time AFC Champions League winner Elkeson in a blockbuster move from defending continental champions and domestic rivals Guangzhou Evergrande last month and Eriksson would have been hoping to partner him with 2014 AFC Champions League top scorer Gyan.
“Sun Xiang is ruled out and both Elkeson and Gyan have not yet reached their best shape and are in the process of recovering. I hope both of them will be able to handle a 90-minute game,” said Eriksson, who will get his first taste of the AFC Champions League having previously helmed Benfica, Roma and Lazio in UEFA Champions League campaigns.
“It is not going to be an easy game. I know our opponent will cause lots of problems for us, but we will overcome these difficulties and try our best to win the match within 90 minutes.”
Opponents Muangthong, meanwhile, will be hoping that they can avoid another play-off heartbreak after Leigh Broxham’s goal seven minutes from time denied them a place in the group stage of the 2014 edition in a 2-1 defeat to Australia’s Melbourne Victory.
“It is an important but also very difficult game for us as we are playing away. Shanghai is a strong team both in skills and tactics, and they are strong at both ends of the pitch,” said Muangthong coach Sripan Totchtawan.
“The weather differences between Thailand and here is difficult for us and we need time to settle. But this is football – we still have our chance.”
Muangthong’s countrymen Chonburi also face an East Asian test with a trip to FC Tokyo and the Thai Premier League side are looking to return to the group stage of the AFC Champions League for the first time since their debut at the 2008 tournament.
“The Japanese team is very strong but since we have come this far, we will work hard and put up 100% of what we have in the game,” said Chonburi coach Jukkapant Punpee.
“We have learned some things from the previous playoffs and are hoping we can put them to use in this match.”
In last year’s qualifying stage, Chonburi (pictured below) proved a stern test for eventual quarter-finalists Kashiwa Reysol before the J.League side eventually secured a 3-2 extra-time win and FC Tokyo coach Hiroshi Jofuku is expecting no easy ride for his team against the Thais.
www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/chonburi_yangon_8x4_jpg.html
