After drawing in matchday one, and with their season yet to start, Sydney FC midfielder Milos Ninkovic believes Wednesday night’s clash against Guangzhou Evergrande is the prime opportunity to take points off the reigning Asian Champions.
With a vast wealth, and world class players at their disposal, Ninkovic said the pressure is on Guangzhou heading into matchday two as the Serbian called on his teammates to seize their chance at the Sydney Football Stadium.
“Maybe it’s better for us [to play Guangzhou now] because the league starts in China this week and Guangzhou only got a point in the Champions League last week,” Ninkovic said.
“Guangzhou have big players, you need to win everything, so there’s more pressure on them.
“We have a big squad, we have a lot of good players, a lot of very good young players and it’s a very good chance for these players.
“We will play a very good team, maybe the best in the Champions League who spend a lot of money and bring very, very good players.
“We play at home and we need to take the three points to make the second round.”
While all the pre-match talk surrounds Jackson Martinez and the price tag he commands, Ninkovic said Guangzhou possess threats all over the field, with the Sky Blues number 10 having faced Guangzhou previously, during his time at Dynamo Kiev.
“It’s not just these players [Martinez, Goulart, which are threats],” he said.
“I played against them three or four years ago, when I was with Dynamo Kiev I played a friendly game against Guangzhou and they had a lot of good Chinese players.
“It will be a good game and it will be a difficult game.”
Sydney FC take on Guangzhou Evergrande in matchday two of the AFC Champions League 2016 group stage at Sydney Football Stadium on Wednesday 2 March (kick off 8pm). Tickets are still available, purchase yours today and support your Sky Blues as they take on the Asian Champions.
Sydney FC’s 2016 AFC Champions League campaign proudly supported by StarTrack and UNSW
Sydney FC welcome Guangzhou Evergrande to Sydney Football Stadium for their first home AFC Champions League match of the group stage on Wednesday 2 March (kick off 8pm AEDT). Get your AFC Champions League Membership today and see the Sky Blues take on the best in Asia at home!
