Congrats to Evergrande, calm about Chinese football

Evergrande outclasses eight-time African champion Al Ahly 2-0 in the quarterfinal at the Club World Cup. (Xinhua Photo)

Congratulations and greetings to Guangzhou Evergrande are all over Chinese media for its first game and first win in the Club World Cup on Saturday night. Both media and fans are looking forward to the next game against European champion Bayern Munich three days later.

Evergrande outclassed eight-time African champion Al Ahly 2-0 in the quarterfinal at the Club World Cup.

Brazilian striker Elkeson and Argentina's playmaker Dario Conca scored in the second half for the Asian champion.

The game began at 0:00 am Beijing time on Monday, but a lot of Chinese fans stayed up watching Guangzhou Evergrande's debut in the world stage and it turned out to be great.

Right after the game, People's Daily said on its Sina weibo, "this is the first game and first win for Chinese team in the Club World Cup! Proud of you, Evergrande, and here we come, Bayern Munich!"

Sina, one of the most influential web media, said on its sports weibo that, Evergrande is creating its own history as well as Chinese football history.

A football fan named "Trainer Zhu Yinglei" said, "the real value of this win is that we finally got to know what it looks like to play with world top club."

Chinese national television CCTV said this game has been carrying too many dreams of Chinese fans, and the victory has brought back confidence to Chinese football.

As most Chinese media are taking this victory as a breakthrough for the new Asian champion, some different opinions are coming out as well. Sohu Sports reports that according to the match statistics, Evergrande won only in efficiency as Al Ahly got more opportunities and only failed to convert them.

The fact that both goals were scored by foreign players instead of Chinese was considered as a sore point.

"Evergrande is a great club, but it doesn't mean Chinese football is improving as well," said a football fan on Internet.

Italian head coach Marcello Lippi's ability is another key role for this victory.

"Chinese football needs great coach like Marcello Lippi," said Lang Xiaonong, a former senior official of the Chinese Football Association and also known as the "Father of Chinese Super League".

Lang said Guangzhou's performance in the second half was obviously better than that in the first half, which should largely be attributed to Lippi's decisions in substituting players and changing formations.

"The second half myth" is made by Lippi and his ability to improvise is what Chinese coach lacks, said Lang.

Related:

Lippi optimistic about Guangzhou's semifinal clash with Bayern

Marcello Lippi showed his courage to challenge Bayern Munich's supremacy after his side Guangzhou Evergrande beat African champion Al Ahly 2-0 on Saturday to reach the semifinal at the Club World Cup.Full Story