Gao Lin scores twice as Guangzhou Evergrande continue winning way
Striker justifies his late selection in 3-1 win over South Korean side Jeonbuk Motors
Gao Lin was not supposed to start Guangzhou Evergrande's AFC Champions League home clash with former winners Jeonbuk Motors on Tuesday night, but the China international striker scored twice in the first quarter of the game as the reigning Asian champions notched up a 3-1 win at Tianhe Stadium.
Gao was called into Marcello Lippi's starting line-up as a last-minute replacement for Brazilian striker Muriqui, the leading scorer in last season's tournament who was injured in the warm-up, and the 28-year-old did not disappoint with goals in the 17th and 21st minutes.
"Muriqui's old injury flared up during the warm-up, and it was the same with Zhao Xuri," said Lippi, who was also forced to replace the Chinese midfielder just before kick-off.
I'm glad we took the three points, but we are still looking for the best team that we saw last season
"It was a difficult game. We are still in the process of trying to find our best shape.
"We haven't managed that yet, neither mentally nor physically, and at this moment the team has to stay united, everyone has to be devoted.
"I'm glad we took the three points, but we are still looking for the best team that we saw last season."
Victory over Jeonbuk, the winners of the title in 2006 and runners-up in 2011, means Guangzhou are unbeaten so far this season, with seven points from their first three games in the group stage, three points more than Jeonbuk and Melbourne Victory as the battle for a place in the knockout rounds reached the halfway mark.