Lippi ready to make history in AFC Champions league

Marcello Lippi's Guangzhou Evergrande are confident of becoming the first Chinese club to reach the final of AFC Champions league.

Lippi's side will host Kashiwa Reysol of Japan at the second leg of semifinals here on Wednesday.

The Italian admitted at the pre-match press conference here on Tuesday that his side was now in a huge favor to reach the finale after thumping the Japanese side 4-1 away at the first leg of semifinals a week ago.

"It is true that we have three goals in hand, a big gap for the Japanese team to come back,"the 65-year old said.

"But victory never comes before the final whistle, anything could happen in football. We must play clever and be concentrated during the whole match tomorrow night," he added.

With 29 goals in 11 games, Guangzhou are the highest scoring side in the tournament. They also have a solid defensive record with only eight goals conceded.

"We will play our own game, we will fight for victory although we could go through with a draw," Lippi said.

With a third consecutive Chinese Super League title almost guaranteed, Guangzhou have all but focused on the AFC Champions League, in which Chinese clubs have never reached the final since the inaugural season in 2003.

The Japanese side, however, have not tasted a single victory in four games in their domestic league. Ranking 10th on the J-League table and trailing behind leaders Yokohama F. Marinos by 14 points, coach Nelshino Baptista has much more to worry about.

But the 63-year old Brazilian refused to give up although it seems mission impossible for Kashiwa as they have to score at least 4 goals at Tianhe sports center in order to rally back for a final berth.

"I have been encountered many tough situations in my career like this. Only with extraordinarily passion and concentration could we find a way through. I am still confident with the team." the Brazilian said.

Junya Tanaka, who scored two goals for the Japanese side in this year's Champions League, hoped to break Guangzhou's clean sheet record at home.

"We came to China under great pressure. All the staff are ready to show 120 percent of their passion and determination, I believe we can find the goal tomorrow, " the 26-year-old striker said.