Having won the CSL and the AFC Champions League, Guangzhou Evergrande, are in the hunt for the treble. And who would bet against them, doing just that, after they thrashed Beijing Guoan 6-3 yesterday, giving them a 7-3 win on aggregate.
Beijing started the better in this one. The away side with the first real chance, but Peter Utaka fired this one high and wide over the bar.
And just after the half hour mark Evergrande made them pay. Zhengzhi, passing to Elkeson, who takes one touch, and finishes to the left of the keeper. Elkersson not one to miss from there. And the away side are 1-0 up on the night.
And just before half time they doubled their lead. Chinese super league MVP Darío Conca with the goal.
Beijing decided to make a few changes just before the break. Joffre Méndez and Egor Krimets coming on.
And after half time Beijing struck back. Frédéric Kanouté sliding one through to Utaka who pulls one back for Beijing. Their manager clearly believing his team can go on and get another.
But just three minutes later Guanzhou scored again. Zhang Linpeng’s header at the back post making it 3-1.
But a remarkable turn-around as Utaka scored two more goals within 2 minutes of each other, the score now level at 3-3.
Only two minutes later though, Huang Bowen, a former Guoan player, gave Evergrande the lead once more.
Muriqui, cutting in from the left, curls it in to make it 5.
With Dario Conca making the most of that goal-keeping error to make the final score 6-3.
"I am a little tired, I just came back to join my team after I finished the awards ceremony. I am very happy to get the honour of AFC Player of the Year. I would like to win the FA Cup so we can win another trophy as a team." Zheng Zhi, Guangzhou Evergrande Captain said.
"It's understandable that our team relaxed after they led 2-0, the team has played around 60 matches this year. And yet they still come away with such a good result. I think the club and the fans should be pleased with the efforts of my players." Marcello Lippi, Guangzhou Evergrande Head Coach said.