SINGAPORE — Celebrated coach Marcello Lippi faces a crunch game just two weeks after arriving in China when he tries to lead Guangzhou Evergrande into the AFC Champions League quarterfinals Wednesday.

The World Cup-winning manager, hired to bring continental glory to the big-spending Chinese champion, has the difficult task of a must-win, one-off round of 16 match against FC Tokyo in just his third game in charge.

The 64-year-old is unbeaten in China but has had little immediate impact since becoming the biggest coaching acquisition in the newly-rich Super League, which is also now home to former Chelsea striker Nicolas Anelka.

Under Lippi, Guangzhou has won 1-0 and drawn 1-1 against the bottom two clubs, with its league lead now down to two points. On Wednesday, Evergrande faces the sterner test of FC Tokyo, Japan’s Emperor’s Cup champions.

On Tuesday, Australia’s 2008 runner-up Adelaide United hosts Nagoya Grampus, and 2010 champion Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma plays Uzbekistan’s Bunyodkor. South Korea’s Ulsan Hyundai faces Japanese champion Kashiwa Reysol Wednesday.

But neutral attention will focus on Lippi’s debut in the Asian competition with his expensively assembled side including star midfielder Dario Conca and free-scoring striker Muriqui.

“Right from the start the club made it absolutely clear just how much enthusiasm and determination they had to create a good side, one good enough to win the Chinese Super League and do well in the AFC Champions League,” Lippi has said. “I’m here to do just that. I guarantee to work with my utmost passion and professionalism.”

Guangzhou’s presence in the last 16 is something of a surprise after Lippi’s predecessor, South Korean coach Lee Jang-Soo, guided them to a last-gasp win over Thailand’s Buriram United in his final game in charge.

Hours later, Lee announced his departure to an emotional group of players with whom he had won promotion and then the Super League title in consecutive seasons.

According to various reports, Lippi has the a boat and a large private villa since arriving in Guangzhou, an enormous industrial city near Hong Kong, as well as a 10 million euro ($12.6 million) salary.

Lippi won the 2006 World Cup with Italy but he left the team after a poor showing at the 2010 competition. He now faces a very different task at Guangzhou’s Tianhe stadium.
Last week, two-time winner Al-Ittihad was among three Saudi teams to reach the quarterfinals, along with Al-Hilal and Al-Ahli, while Iran’s Sepahan also qualified. — AFP