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Shenzhen set sights on Champions League semifinals
(FootballAsia.com)
Updated: 2005-09-16 09:38 JEDDAH ¨C Shenzhen Jianlibao
coach Guo Ruilong believes that the his side can salvage a disappointing season
by reaching the last four of the AFC Champions League after a narrow 2-1 defeat
to Al Ahli in Wednesday¡¯s quarter-final first leg.
Striker Li Yi
celebrates Shenzhen's taking a priceless away goal back to China
[WSG] | Al Ahli dominated the match but failed to
convert their overwhelming possession into goals and after a Naif Al Qadi own
goal had cancelled out Rogerio¡¯s fifth of the tournament the hosts needed
Shenzhen skipper Yang Chen to head the ball into his own net three minutes from
time to take all three points.
¡°We still have a chance to qualify and we have a big chance to advance
because we¡¯ll be playing in our home ground in the second leg,¡± said Guo.
Guo took over the managerial reins of the south China club in April after
player revolt and a nine-match winless streak in the league led to the ousting
of his predecessor Chi Shangbin, and with Shenzhen arriving in the stifling heat
of Jeddah on the back of a 5-1 hammering by Dalian Shide most observers were
anticipating a comfortable win for Al Ahli.
But while Al Ahli dictated the play they failed to make the most of their
opportunities, a fact lamented by their Serbo-Montenegrin coach Ilja Lukic.
¡°We had loads of chances but we just couldn¡¯t score,¡± said the 63-year-old
who has also enjoyed coaching spells with clubs in the UAE and Thailand as well
as the Zambia national team.
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