SINGAPORE: Just over a year after Brazil's calamitous appearance at the World Cup, Luiz Felipe Scolari can prove he's a winner once again when he leads Guangzhou Evergrande into the AFC Champions League finals on Saturday.
The ebullient Brazilian has proved an astute signing by the wealthy club, who are unbeaten since he took over from Fabio Cannavaro in June and clinched their fifth straight Chinese Super League title last week.
Now Guangzhou are strong favourites to beat UAE's Al Ahli over two legs, starting on Saturday in Dubai, and claim their second AFC Champions League title in two years.
Victory by Guangzhou would underline the rise of Chinese football, once a corruption-ravaged laughing stock but now boasting Asia's richest league and on the march at club level.
"This is the second time we have played in the final and everyone is more experienced both physically and mentally because we played before, so we have more confidence this time," said Guangzhou captain Zheng Zhi.
"This is a different period with different coaches and a different style, but the only thing in common is that we have the confidence that we are capable of winning this championship like we did in 2013.
"The only major difference is that the team in 2013 was more attacking, and the current team is more stable.
"Scolari is a very passionate guy so he brought more passion to the team. Scolari has struck a very good balance between attack and defence."
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