Muriqui certain Guangzhou can reach semi-finals
After last year's quarter-final, Brazilian striker is upbeat on his squad's chances in the AFC
Back-to-back Chinese champions Guangzhou Evergrande will go into the last eight of the AFC Champions League next week in the kind of form that has the club's Brazilian striker Muriqui confident of progress to the semi-finals of the continental championship.
Marcello Lippi's side, who lead the Chinese Super League standings by 14 points after notching up a 3-0 win over Dalian Aerbin on Monday evening, face Qatar's Lekhwiya over two legs in the quarter-finals of a competition from which they were eliminated last year at the same stage. The first leg will be held at Tianhe Stadium next Wednesday, with the return in Doha on September 18.
This year is the second season that Guangzhou Evergrande have played in the AFC Champions League. We have the best coach in the world, top players and we have more mature tactics than last year
Middle Eastern opposition saw Guangzhou's quest for a first Asian title come to an end in 2012 when Lippi's side succumbed to two-time champions Al Ittihad of Saudi Arabia, but Muriqui - the competition's leading scorer with eight goals in eight games - is confident Evergrande have learned from experience.
"I believe this season Guangzhou are stronger than last year because we are more stable, mature and confident," said the 27-year-old, who opened the scoring against Dalian on Monday evening as Evergrande maintained their advantage over second-placed Shandong Luneng.
"We gained valuable experience from our first season in the AFC Champions League, which will help us to pay attention and overcome any disadvantages and defeat our opponents in the competition, especially against West Asian teams.
"This year is the second season that Guangzhou Evergrande have played in the AFC Champions League. We have the best coach in the world, top players and we have more mature tactics than last year.
"We have also gained a lot of experience in how to beat teams from Japan, Korea, Australia, Thailand and Saudi Arabia, which gives us more confidence and we are more eager to win.