UNLIKE in 2013, coach Luiz Felipe Scolari insists Guangzhou Evergrande’s run to this year’s AFC Champions League final has been largely down to the talent of locals, rather than imported talent, the South China Morning Post reported Thursday.

    Guangzhou has quickly gained a reputation as one of the biggest spenders in Asia, and has a squad and coaching staff to match, and is on the verge of landing a fifth consecutive Chinese Super League title and second continental crown after Wednesday night’s goalless draw in Japan with Gamba Osaka, which secured a 2-1 aggregate success in its semifinal.

    But while 2013’s away goals success over South Korea’s FC Seoul in the AFC Champions League final under Italian Marcello Lippi was achieved largely with the impact of Brazilian tournament MVP and top scorer Muriqui and Argentinian playmaker Dario Conca, the success this year is down to talent closer to home, according to Brazilian World Cup winner Scolari.

    “I would like to say a special thank you to all the players, especially the Chinese players.

    “We have to be proud we have such good [local] players in our team,” said 66-year-old Scolari.

    First-leg goals from midfield duo Zheng Zhi and Huang Bowen, who were both part of the 2013 side, ultimately made the difference after canceling out Feng Xiaoting’s early own goal last month at Tianhe Sports Center Stadium.

    That lead was rarely threatened in the return leg at Expo ’70 Commemorative Stadium by J. League treble winners Gamba.

    (SD-Agencies)