Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Seongnam: Guangzhou Evergrande coach Fabio Cannavaro will be without Brazilian striker Elkeson and Korea Republic defender Kim Young-gwon for Wednesday’s trip to Seongnam FC in the first leg of their AFC Champions League last 16 tie.
The Italian FIFA World Cup-winning captain confirmed the news on Tuesday having arrived in Korea Republic the previous evening having seen second place Guangzhou share a 1-1 draw with Chinese Super League leaders Shanghai SIPG on Friday.
And having missed the domestic outing at Tianhe Sports Center Stadium, both Elkeson and Kim (pictured, in red shirt) will also not be on show at Tancheon Sports Complex with Cannavaro already without injured Brazilian Alan and compatriot Rene Junior, who is not registered for the continental competition.
“We have a lot of injuries as we don’t have the international players Elkeson, Rene, Kim and Alan, so it is not normal,” said Cannavaro.
“But I trust my team and even without these players we can have a nice performance. We feel good because I trust my players. I know I have some injured players, but I know if we try to do our best we can be happy.”
Guangzhou qualified for the fourth consecutive appearance in the last 16 after the 2013 winners won Group H ahead of defending champion Western Sydney Wanderers, former finalist FC Seoul and Kashima Antlers.
“It’s two years since we won the title and that is what we are aiming to do again this year,” added Cannavaro.
“It is a difficult challenge which is why we have to be at our best from the start of the first leg.
“We are looking forward to a tough game, but also the opportunity to show what we can do."
Korea FA Cup holders Seongnam, who are two-time continental champions having won the AFC Champions League as Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma in 2010, finished second in Group F which contained Chinese Super League side Guangzhou R&F.
“Seongnam are tough, they are Korean, and everybody knows Korean football. They are aggressive and the stadium is not big so we know they can put us under pressure,” said Cannavaro.
“But we have prepared for this game and we are ready for them. We know that we have two games and not just one and we know that we need to be clever and understand the qualification is not only down to one game.
“We know everything about them; I have seen the last four games. They work together, they have very good Brazilian players, and if they have reached this stage they have the quality.
“There are no easy games but we are ready.”
Photo: WSG