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Shenzhen set sights on Champions League semifinals
(FootballAsia.com)
Updated: 2005-09-16 09:38 JEDDAH – 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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