The city of Guangzhou was painted glorious red last weekend as Evergrande beat Dubai side Al Ahli 1-0 to be crowned champions of Asia for the second time in three seasons.
‘Made in China’ is famous around the world but this was a triumph that certainly had its foundations in Brazil. Collective eyebrows were raised in June when the stylish Italian Fabio Cannavaro was shown the door to allow Brazilian manager ‘Big Phil’ Scolari to take over. Anything but another Chinese Super League and Champions’ League double would have raised questions over the swap, but they no longer exist.
The ‘Made in Brazil’ angle continues with the fact that Brazilian striker Elkeson got the only goal of the two-legged final while another Samba Boy, Ricardo Goulart, collected two individual titles for the ACL campaign as top scorer and most valuable player.
Thanks to the generosity of a friend and fan of city rivals Guangzhou Fuli, whom I had better not name to save his embarrassment at wearing red not blue, I was in the stadium for the final, soaking up the atmosphere. The scene was spectacular with the red ocean in the stands only broken by a small pocket of Al Ahli fans. Huge flags were waved, drums beaten, and there was chanting and singing throughout.
Needless to say security was extremely tight both inside and outside the stadium, with the somewhat bizarre decision to forbid bars and restaurants in the Tianhe area from showing the game. I had my own accidental brush with the law when I fell backwards onto the black-clad officers sitting in front of me as I celebrated Elkeson’s superb individual effort. I am not sure who was more surprised, me or them, but fortunately it ended in smiles!
And there were certainly plenty of smiles on the final whistle. Thank heavens Hengda won as I have no idea what would have happened to the bus that had been decorated to allow the squad and coaches to have a lap of honor after the protracted presentation ceremony.
Scolari has now emulated Marcello Lippi by winning both the World Cup and the ACL. He spoke of enjoying an “extraordinary night” but is already looking ahead to more great times for a “great club with a great team and great players.”
He will be hoping the great times will continue this month in Japan, where his team takes on Mexican side Club America on December 13, with the winners then facing the greatest club side in the world today: European champions Barcelona.
Success in the continent’s top club competition came as a relief for Chinese football fans after another dismal display on the international stage, being held to a 0-0 draw in Hong Kong. Scarves held aloft at the final in the Tianhe Stadium claimed “We Stand for China,” and it is a good job someone is because the national team is just not cutting it.
French boss Alain Perron could be forgiven for having his mind on other matters just four days after the Paris attacks, but there is no doubt his job is now at risk.
China did suffer from the lack of goal line technology, which resulted in Yu Dabao’s effort not being given despite appearing to cross the line before being clawed back by Hong Kong’s man of the match Yapp Hung-fai. But that should not paper over the obvious cracks indicated by the fact that in the two matches, 180 minutes, China did not manage to score against a team that I saw them beat by seven goals only a few years ago.
China’s slim hopes of qualifying rely on them beating both the Maldives – which even they should manage – and then Qatar, who have already qualified for the next stage. The new Chinese Super League will be up and running by the time those games are played at the end of March, and it is more in hope than expectation that China cling to the possibility of being one of the four best runners-up in the eight groups.
But that is for another day. For now football fans, especially in the south, can look forward to the possibility of a match that could be even more memorable than the clash with Bayern Munich two years ago in the World Club Championship. The Club America tie will not be easy, but can there be a greater incentive than the prospect of facing Messi, Neymar and Suarez? Bring on Barca!
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