Lippi praises Guangzhou players

Marcello Lippi praised his players after his club became the first Chinese side to reach the AFC Champions League quarter-finals since 2006.

Tournament debutants Guangzhou Evergrande progressed with a first-half goal from Brazilian striker Cleo.

“Our team played as we expected,” Lippi said.

“Our opponent was fast, they are not tall, but they have good technique, however we left little room for them to attack,” said World Cup-winning coach Lippi after just his third game in charge of Chinese Super League champions Guangzhou.

“We created many opportunities to score and played hard. Our opponent also created several attacking threats.

“The victory can be attributed to the excellent performance of each and every player. If our attackers had taken their chances, we would have scored more goals.”

Meanwhile, Ulsan coach Kim Ho-gon was delighted to maintain his country’s interest in the competition.

Ulsan ensured that Korea will be represented in the quarter-finals after edging out Kashiwa in a five-goal thriller at the Ulsan Munsu Stadium.

After a goalless first half, the Korean side took a deserved lead through a Kim Shin-wook header only for Leandro Domingues to equalise midway through the second half.

Ulsan regained the lead courtesy of an own goal from Naoya Kondo and extended their advantage through Lee Keun-ho before Junya Tanaka pulled back a goal for Kashiwa in stoppage time.

““It was difficult game but we are happy with this win as we are the only survivors among the four K-league teams taking part in this year’s competition,” he said.

“I have told my players many times that we are not only representing our club but that we are also representing Korea and the players recognise the importance of that.”

The draw for the quarter-finals will take place on June 14.

Source : http://www.soccernews.com/lippi-praises-guangzhou-players/95539/