Conca changes mind

Guangzhou Evergrande's Dario Conca plays during a match against Guangzhou R&F on Sunday. Conca said he will stay with the club, ending weeks of rumors. "I will fulfill the contract and promise to stay with the club," he said. Provided to China Daily

Midfielder gives up on ditching Evergrande to return to Brazil

Dario Conca said on Monday he will stay with Guangzhou Evergrande, amid reports that the Argentine international wants to terminate his contract and return to Brazil.

"I am very thankful for the fans' support," Conca said. "Yes, (I had some second thoughts) the last two weeks. But now I will fulfill the contract and promise to stay with the club."

The 29-year-old midfielder had said in an interview with Brazil-based newspaper Lancenet! that he wanted to return to Brazil during the transfer window of the Brazilian league, which closes on July 20.

"For me, the most important thing is to play better in the following games," Conca said during an open training session on Monday.

Prior to the derby match on Sunday, which Evergrande lost 1-0 to city rival Guangzhou R&F, Marcello Lippi confirmed the decision.

"Conca plays an important role on my team," Lippi said. "He has played almost every match since I took charge."

Lippi, who took over in May, has frequently replaced Conca early in matches. Conca has been visibly unhappy leaving the pitch.

Conca played a full game on Sunday, sending several marvelous passes at strikers Gao Lin and Lucas Barrios, who failed to convert.

"We have to make changes in each game, so I will make substitutions, not because of the condition of the player, but for the good of the team," Lippi said.

Conca said he's focused on the club's next match.

"The loss will inspire me, as well as the team, to play better," Conca said.

Conca moved to Evergrande from Brazilian side Fluminense in a transfer deal worth $10 million last July. He was a regular player under former coach Lee Jang-soo.

"We passed the ball slower than our opponent," he said. "It is a pity that we suffered a loss again in the derby match."

Lippi blamed his first loss in the Chinese Super League on lethargic players.

"I am very angry," the 64-year-old Italian said. "The players did not show their good momentum in the game. It is not because of the absence of striker Muriqui, but the lack of a fighting spirit, that has led to the loss."

Muriqui was suspended due to four yellow cards he picked up in the previous two games.

"My players appeared to be blindly satisfied since we are in the top position in the league," Lippi said. "That is why they performed differently between today's game and the previous games."

A controversial header from Nigerian striker Yakubu Aiyegbeni in the 85th minute decided the derby.

Yakubu, 29, signed a transfer deal with Guangzhou R&F about two weeks ago, after his former club Blackburn was relegated from the English Premier League at the end of last season.

"I don't want to blame the controversial goal for our loss," Lippi said. "I am not accustomed to criticizing the referee. We created several chances to score, but my players missed them."

The defeat was the defending league champion's first at its home stadium since it was promoted to the top division two years ago.

Sergio Farias, head coach of Guangzhou R&F, said winning the derby will inspire his team to play better in the games ahead.

"The derby games were a different experience," he said. "As a newly promoted team in the top league, we need to play better in the following games. There is still a long way to go for us to claim the championship."

qiuquanlin@chinadaily.com.cn

(China Daily 07/17/2012 page24)