Western Sydney Wanderers must target Guangzhou Evergrande’s suspect defence if it is to reach the AFC Champions League semi-finals, says a man who faced the Chinese powerhouse four times in the last two years.
The Wanderers take on Evergrande in the second leg of the quarter-finals with the cushion of a 1-0 lead from the first leg in Parramatta.
Perth Glory midfielder Rostyn Griffiths knows all about Evergrande, having spent two seasons with its crosstown rival Guangzhou R&F from 2012.
Griffiths said the Wanderers are in for a tough match at Tianhe Stadium on Wednesday night but Guangzhou’s weakness in defence should give Tony Popovic’s side plenty of hope of progressing.
“Most teams in the Chinese league get a lot of scoring chances when they play Evergrande because they are very vulnerable in defence,” Griffiths said.
“They are a very attacking side but, having said that, they are weak in defence because they leave themselves quite open.
“The problem for visiting teams is that Evergrande usually score more goals than they concede.
“Evergrande are very good and positive when they play at home, usually in front of forty thousand fans.
“They have some foreign stars and some good Chinese players as well.
“Evergrande are under pressure, no doubt about that, and this is something they have not had to deal with too much in recent years.
“It will be interesting to see how they respond to the situation they are in.”
Griffiths said he expected the Wanderers to play their typical cautious game and rely on counter-attacks.
“It is going to be very hot and humid so the Wanderers should not try to play Evergrande at their own open game in my opinion because the home team could be too good for them,” he warned.
“They should keep their structure all night which I’m sure they will do and try to catch Evergrande on the break and pinch an away goal or two.
“That’s how the Wanderers play in the A-League, anyway.
“Central Coast Mariners did the same thing last year … they sat back and counter-attacked.
“They created chances but what they did not do was stick the ball in the back of the net.
“Which is why it is very important for the Wanderers to take the chances which they will get for sure.”
source:sbs.com.au
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