China captain Zheng Zhi (pictured) has backed mega-rich Guangzhou Evergrande to take soccer on the mainland to a new level and raise the nation's flagging soccer spirits following another World Cup failure by making a major impact in this year's AFC Champions League.
Former Charlton Athletic and Celtic midfielder Zheng, who captains the Chinese Super League champions, is on the verge of leading his team into the knockout phase of the continental championship. Victory over Jeonbuk Motors tonight at Tianhe Stadium will be enough to seal a spot in the next round of 16.
The top two teams in each of the eight groups of four will progress, and Guangzhou, managed by Lee Jang-soo, sit a point clear on top of Group H with two of six matches remaining.
If they get through, Guangzhou would become only the third team from China to reach the knockout stages of the continent-wide competition in the last five years. With the final round of Asia's qualifying tournament for the 2014 World Cup kicking off in June without Chinese involvement, Guangzhou's success on their continental debut would provide a chance to cheer the team on to match Shenzhen Jianlibao's run to the semi-finals of the 2005 AFC Champions League.
'Fans are disappointed because China did not qualify for the next round of World Cup qualifiers and their interest in Chinese football will decrease,' said Zheng.
'Guangzhou is doing well in the AFC Champions League and we will get support if we qualify for the round of 16, not only from fans in Guangzhou but we are also representing China. If we do well, it will make positive publicity for football in China.'