This is the “Group of Death”. Group H of the AFC Champions League has produced the unexpected. After the matchday 3, the team at the bottom of the group is Guangzhou Evergrande, who was last year’s Asian Champion. Even after signing -foreign players, they haven’t got any wins. They will devote all of their best efforts for the 3 remaining matches of this group stage.

While Guangzhou Evergrande won’t have the possibility to go through the group stage if they lose their next match, Urawa Reds are welcoming them to their home ground. In their 3rd match, they drew against Guangzhou Evergrande. After the match, Urawa’s players moaned that the 3 foreign players of Guangzhou Evergrande were “intense”.

For Urawa Reds, how they can defend against these 3 players will be the key for the victory. Urawa Reds shows their confidence: “we have strength as a team, and this is stronger than Guangzhou Evergrande.” In front of a large number of their supporters at their home ground Saitama Stadium, Urawa Reds aim to win this match.

Coach and Players' Comments

Mihailo PETROVIC, Coach (Urawa Reds)
The next match on 5th will be even more difficult than the previous away match against Guangzhou Evergrande. They are strong with quality players. For them, they have to beat us to move on to the next stage, and considering this, it should be a difficult one. However, we could show them that we are the team who can equally compete with them even at their home. I can say that they are the No. 1 team in Asia, so we will face them with respect tomorrow. We also need to win. We will do our best including our supporters to win the match tomorrow.

UGAJIN Tomoya (Urawa Reds)
I believe that the next match is the one we have to win to break through this group stage. Guangzhou Evergrande should play against us with a very strong fighting spirit hence they will try to beat us. At this home stadium, we will show even more intensive fighting spirit and strong sense of pride that we are stronger in every way. I won’t lose in any competition in running and skill, this is what I want to show in the match tomorrow.

Luiz Felipe Scolari (Guangzhou Evergrande)
The next match is one for both teams to win, without any exceptions. We know that Urawa Reds are a wonderful team. With this understanding, we will do our best tomorrow.

ZHENG Zhi (Guangzhou Evergrande)
I know our current situation in this group stage and I also know Urawa Reds well. We have to make much better results in the ACL. We have experience and confidence. The next match is a very important one, so I will do my best.

AFC Champions League 2016

27 January 2016 - 26 November 2016

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