Conca says Evergrande can be world champions
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E-mail Shanghai Daily, December 13, 2013
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Dario Conca believes Guangzhou Evergrande can win the Club World Cup. |
Talismanic midfielder Dario Conca has insisted Marcello Lippi's Guangzhou Evergrande has the confidence to win the Club World Cup as he aims to leave the team on a high.
The departing Argentine inspired Guangzhou to victory in Asia's Champions League and he believes it can go one better at the intercontinental tournament in Morocco which started on Wednesday, with Morocco's Raja Casablanca beating Auckland City FC of New Zealand 2-1 in the opener in Agadir.
The Asian and Chinese title-holder plays Egypt's al-Ahly in Agadir tomorrow with the winner facing the daunting task of a semifinal against European powerhouse Bayern Munich.
"The Club World Cup will be a hard test for us," Conca, who is making his final appearance for Guangzhou before returning to Brazil's Fluminense, told Chinese media.
"We will meet the African champion (al-Ahly) and if we make it through, awaiting us are the likes of Bayern Munich and (Brazil's) Atletico Mineiro.
"It requires us to give more energy and passion."
Conca added: "No one likes losing games. Neither do I. We are looking to become the world champions and we have the confidence needed to win it heading into the competition."
On Wednesday, Abdelilah Hafidi tapped home the winner in the 2nd minute of added time to ensure the host club a winning start at the Agadir Stadium.
Raja took the lead in the 39th through Mouhssine Iajour and the New Zealand club rallied through Fijian Roy Krishna.
Raja set up a quarterfinal clash with Mexican club Monterrey on Sunday.
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