Football
Michael Church, Asia correspondent 7y

Luiz Felipe Scolari dismisses talk of Guangzhou Evergrande form struggle

Guangzhou Evergrande coach Luiz Felipe Scolari has dismissed claims that his side have not fully convinced this season.

Scolari will attempt to steer Guangzhou to only their second win in the Asian Champions League group stages at Hong Kong champions Eastern on Tuesday.

Evergrande, who beat Eastern 7-0 in the opening round of games after the visitors had been reduced to nine men, will qualify for the next phase if they can win on Tuesday.

They have drawn twice with Japan's Kawasaki Frontale and once with Suwon Bluewings -- but Scolari denied they had yet to hit their stride.

"I don't agree with your idea [that Guangzhou have yet to get going] and don't answer this question," he said at a news conference.

"If we win 3-0 it's nothing, if we win 7-0 it's nothing, if we win 1-0 it's nothing for you -- but for us it's three points."

He said the game against Eastern at Guangzhou "was not a game," adding: "They lost a player after five minutes and they lost a second player in 25 minutes. Forget the first game."

Guangzhou have won the Chinese Super League in each of the last six seasons, landing the Asian Champions League crown in 2013 and 2015.

But Scolari is under pressure after missing out on the knockout phase of last year's continental club championship.

Guangzhou are currently third in the Chinese Super League, level on points with Shanghai SIPG and three adrift of local rivals Guangzhou R&F.

However, the former Brazil boss cited his team's win over Jiangsu Suning -- who are currently bottom of the domestic standings -- in the season-opening Chinese Super Cup as proof they are a force.

"Until now there's only been one championship, and one champion in the super cup, and who wins?" he asked. "Guangzhou."

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