Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Guangzhou: Brazilian striker Elkeson has set his sights on the FIFA Club World Cup in Morocco next month after his goals in each leg of the AFC Champions League final against FC Seoul helped secure Guangzhou Evergrande their first-ever continental title.
Elkeson’s 58th minute strike put Guangzhou in front in the second leg after having scored the equaliser for his club in the first leg in Seoul to cancel out Sergio Escudero’s opener before that game ended in a 2-2 draw.
The 24-year-old’s goal in front of the Tianhe Stadium crowd was levelled by Dejan Damjanovic for FC Seoul four minutes later but FC Seoul were unable to claim the second goal needed to either win the game or take the final into extra time.
“It was a tough game,” said Elkeson (Di Oliveira Cordoso). “In fact, both games were very tough. Even though we scored twice in Korea, it wasn’t much of an advantage but we still managed to succeed.”
Guangzhou’s win was the first for a Chinese club in the continental club championship since Liaoning won the Asian Club Championship back in 1990 and Elkeson’s goals were instrumental in the club’s success.
The Brazilian joined the Guangzhou squad from the quarterfinals, replacing Paraguayan forward Lucas Barrios in the line-up and making an immediate impact.
Elkeson scored in his first AFC Champions League game against Lekhwiya from Qatar before going on to claim six goals in six games throughout the latter stages of the competition.
“I signed a contract to support the team to become the champions of Asia,” he said. “We’ve done a lot to enhance and improve ourselves and thankfully it has been a good year for us.
“Next up we have the FIFA Club World Cup and then, of course, we will see what comes next year. There are always great prospects. I’m happy here and everyone knows me and what I can do.”
Photo:AFP