Guangzhou Evergrande wary of Japan's Kashima Antlers in AFC Champions League
Skipper Zheng Zhi says they are not taking their Japanese opponents lightly despite their 100 per cent record in group H
Another victory against Kashima Antlers this evening would see Guangzhou Evergrande confirm their place in the knockout rounds of the AFC Champions League for the fourth season in a row, but despite their position of strength at the top of group H captain Zheng Zhi is taking nothing for granted.
Evergrande, winners of the continental title in 2013 and quarter-finalists last year and in 2012, are off the back of a 2-1 loss at the hands of Henan Jianye in the Chinese Super League, with Zheng warning against complacency.
I think we will have some unexpected events in tomorrow's match, since we must play in a very different environment as the visiting team
"I think we will have some unexpected events in tomorrow's match, since we must play in a very different environment as the visiting team," said Zheng, whose team have won their first three games in the 2015 AFC Champions League.
"Putting our full effort into winning the game is very important. A few new players have joined the team, and we are trying out various options. I can't say that those options are functioning very well at the moment, but I can see that they are starting to work better."
The loss at Henan was the first of the regular season for Fabio Cannavaro's team, but there have been no such problems in Asia, with three straight wins leaving the former champions on the verge of qualifying for the knockout phase at the earliest possible stage.
Victory would seal their place in the round of 16 while a draw - depending on the result between Jeonbuk Motors and defending champions Western Sydney Wanderers - could also be enough to guarantee safe passage to the next round.