Scolari’s Evergrande stun America to reach semis of Club World Cup

The victory pushed the Southern China Tigers to advance in the semifinals of the said tournament against La Liga and UEFA Champions League titlists FC Barcelona in a game scheduled on December 17 at the International Stadium Yokohama in Yokohama. With 10 minutes remaining, the Chinese powerhouse had huffed and puffed aplenty but couldn’t find a way through to goal.

Guangzhou go into their high-profile clash against last season’s Champions League winners – Barcelona – are now unbeaten in 28 games since Scolari took over the club in May. The club wants to become world champions and a global name, discussed from New Zealand to Newfoundland to Newcastle and New Delhi. There is only one thing that can come next.

Rivals Real Madrid won the competition past year, while Bayern Munich lifted the trophy in 2013.

The Mexicans appeared to be on course for a comfortable win when Oribe Peralta headed them ahead early in the second half.

Zheng Long and Paulinho scored the two goals to help Evergrande with the win.

However, Chinese left winger Zheng Long managed to equalize the count at the 80th minute while Brazilian midfielder Paulinho sealed the game three minutes into injury time with a brilliant header to snatch the game away from Las Águilas and set up a dream matchup with the Catalonia giants on Thursday, as per ESPN.

“I have done this two or three times, I did this before in national team as well”, the 27-year old Brazilian said.

“You never know what will happen in football so it’s better not to talk too much before the match, just play”.

Scolari was delighted with his team and pleased with the changes he made after falling behind.

“Maybe I expected more from them, maybe it’s my fault”.

“Barcelona without Neymar is still a great team. Victory is not impossible”, he added. Hiroshima face River Plate in Osaka on Wednesday.

In the 3-0 win over TP Mazembe in Osaka, the Purple Archers were a class above the Africans, at least in front of goal.

After a fairly even first half, America moved in front in the 55th minute through Peralta, who crept through the defense to nail a diving header from close range, after a cut-back by Dario Benedetto. We know we are small but we want to achieve great things.