Not good enough

Guangzhou R&F's Brazilian coach, Sergio Farias, is looking for an AFC Champions League spot in his first year in China, but needs more time to compete for a league championship. [Provided to China Daily]

Exclusive | Sergio Farias

With Guangzhou R&F struggling in fourth in CSL, coach looks to the ACL, Qiu Quanlin reports.

Ambitious Sergio Farias is not happy with the results his team has achieved so far in the Chinese Super League (CSL). Guangzhou R&F is struggling in its bid to move up the table and claim a top-two finish for a position in the AFC Champions League. "I really want to claim a title for the team in the domestic league," Farias said. "You know that I have been fighting for a championship in my coaching career in recent years."

Before signing a two-year contract with newly promoted Guangzhou R&F last November, Farias claimed an AFC Champions League title in 2009 with K-League side Pohang Steelers.

The Brazilian was also named the best manager in the K-League after winning the South Korean league's title in 2007.

In an interview with China Daily, Farias said the team now has ambitions beyond the CSL title.

"It is impossible for us to win the league title this year. So my goal now is to fight for a position in the AFC Champions League. It will be tough, but we will try our best," he said.

Guangzhou R&F ranks fourth in the Chinese league with 11 wins, two draws and 10 losses.

"To realize that goal, we must take each game seriously," he said.

Guangzhou R&F still has to play fellow top-five sides Jiangsu Sainty, Beijing Guo'an and Guizhou Renhe. The top four teams join defending CSL champion Guangzhou Evergrande in a battle for three berths in the AFC Champions League.

"We are making the utmost effort to qualify for the continental competition. We know it will inspire us to do better next season," he said.

The Brazilian coach said derby wins against Guangzhou Evergrande have helped boost the team's confidence.

"The victories are based on hard training," he said. "I am thankful to the boys for their hard training this season. We could have not won over such a strong opponent without hard training."

Guangzhou R&F beat Guangzhou Evergrande 2-0 on March 16, then claimed a 1-0 win over the defending CSL champion on July 15.

Since his wife and son have gone back to Brazil, Farias said he would concentrate more on the team.

"I will spend more time with the club and my players. I want to better handle the club's training and other affairs. It is not only my willingness to do a better job in the near future, but also the club's goal to achieve better results by the end of the season," he said.

"It has taken me some time to build a good relationship with the club as it is my first year working with Guangzhou R&F, which also is in its first year in the (top) Chinese league.

"After spending nearly a season with the club, we are heading in the right direction. And everything seems to moving toward our goal if we maintain the right momentum."

Farias said more young Chinese players will get an opportunity to play for the club next season.

"Foreign players like (striker Yakubu Aiyegbeni) have helped improve the team's strength. But I hope more Chinese players will be included in the team's starting lineup," he said.

"There is one point I understand very clearly the boss has great enthusiasm in investing in soccer. It has helped to greatly encourage the whole team and boost our confidence to do better next season," Farias said.

After serving with the Guangzhou team for nearly a year, Farias has observed that some other Chinese clubs have not shown much respect to the foreign coaches they have hired.

"From my understanding, nearly half of the Chinese clubs have not truly shown confidence in their foreign coaches," he said.

"If a club hires a foreign coach, it should provide good conditions, including greater investment and the introduction of good players to help him make changes to the team."

As for foreign coaches, Farias said they should take more time to get accustomed to the soccer environment in China.

Citing Guangzhou Evergrande's leading position in the domestic league, Farias said foreign coaches have the ability to succeed in China.

"You can see the coaches of the clubs in first and second position on the CSL table are from foreign countries. They have quickly become accustomed to Chinese soccer. Once you know what soccer is like in China, you can easily conduct your job," Farias said.

Q+A

Do your wife and son live with you in Guangzhou?

They left Guangzhou for Brazil two days ago. My son needs to take some exams as it is near the end of the year. He received long-distance learning when he was in Guangzhou. My wife also needs to handle some family issues. So they have gone back.

Do you have a long-term plan for Guangzhou?

I would like to spend more time with my players and take the team to a better position in the Chinese league. It is my first year as a coach in China. Fortunately, everything has been going along the right track.

Are you happy with the results your team has achieved so far, and with your family life in Guangzhou?

I am not really satisfied with the results. You know that I have been struggling for a championship in my coaching career in recent years. I did hope to claim a championship when I came to Guangzhou a year ago. We hope to have a better performance next year.

Are you surprised by the 8-0 defeat of China by Brazil in an international friendly match a few days ago?

It is not the right time for China to play such a match. You should make good preparations when you are going to play against a strong opponent, even in a friendly game. China will learn a lot from Brazil, although the South American side has not been in top form in world soccer in recent years. Also, the Chinese Football Association should have good communication with the clubs. Such a friendly event should be held after the season ends. Otherwise, it will result in many problems for the players and clubs. We could not concentrate properly on recovery and training during the seasonal break as several of my team's players were picked to play in the friendly game.

Are you interested in becoming head coach of the Chinese national team?

I have a long-term contract with Guangzhou R&F. (laughs)