Guangzhou Evergrande 1-0 FC Tokyo

Cleo capitalised on good work from compatriot Muriqui and Korean full-back Cho Won-hee to net his fourth goal of the campaign after 31 minutes to the delight of a boisterous crowd inside Tianhe Sports Centre.

Having eliminated the last remaining Japanese side in this year's competition, Guangzhou will learn their last eight opponent on June 14 after succeeding where both Beijing Guoan and Tianjin Teda failed in recent years with the pair having lost in the Round of 16.

“Our team played as we expected. Our opponent was fast, they are not tall, but they have good technique, however we left little room for them to attack,” said Lippi after just his third game in charge of the Chinese Super League champions.

“We created many opportunities to score and played hard. Our opponent also created several attacking threats.

“The victory can be attributed to the excellent performance of each and every player. If our attackers had taken their chances, we would have scored more goals.

“Before the match we welcomed back our injured players like Muriqui, now we have three months to improve the levels of fitness.”

The home side posed the greater attacking threat inside the opening quarter of an hour, but it was Yang Jun who was called into action first as FC Tokyo’s Brazilian midfielder Lucas warmed the gloves of the Guangzhou goalkeeper after 16 minutes.

Guangzhou’s first shot on target arrived after 27 minutes as Dario Conca’s free-kick skipped through a crowded penalty area and safely into the arms of FC Tokyo goalkeeper Shuichi Gonda.

And with Guangzhou looking a much more organised side under Lippi, the home side were rewarded for their bright start and took the lead after 31 minutes through Brazilian striker Cleo.

Muriqui’s clever chip over a static FC Tokyo defence found the run of right-back Cho, and with Gonda charging off his line, the Korean coolly turned the ball across the face of goal for Cleo to tap into an empty net.

Conca then fired straight at Gonda with a rasping drive before the Argentinian midfielder saw a free-kick from the edge of the area deflected just wide as Guangzhou finished the first half strongly.

Cleo and captain Zheng Zhi both went close for the home side at the start of the second half as Guangzhou came out strongly after the break, while at the other end Kazuma Watanabe headed just wide as the visitors created a rare attacking threat.

FC Tokyo captain Yohei Kajiyama sent an effort skipping wide of the upright with 15 minutes remaining with the visitor’s struggling to break down a well-organised Guangzhou defence.

Guangzhou substitute Gao Lin blazed over shortly after his introduction for Conca before Gonda had to be on his toes to push a dipping free-kick from Muriqui over the crossbar with eight minutes remaining.

The home side, though, were almost caught out with five minutes remaining as Lucas headed onto the outside of the post before Gao and Muriqui both went close for Guangzhou.

A stoppage time injury to Cho saw 10 minutes of added time played, but Guangzhou survived a frantic finish from FC Tokyo to secure their place in the quarter-finals.

“It was an excellent match and both teams showed their best, the level of the match can be compared to the final of the AFC Champions League,” said FC Tokyo coach Ranko Popovic.

“We lost one goal in the first half as Guangzhou were the better side, but in the second half we tried our best and were the better team and we dominated the match. To play like that in Japan and qualify for the AFC Champions League next year will be nice.

“The result is not satisfactory, but it is a match that I can be proud of. I am satisfied with the style and the way we played, but I cannot be satisfied with the result.

“Guangzhou have a lot of potential as a team and when they reach this level they will be powerful.”

Pic: AFP