Beijing Guoan have never advanced to the quarter-finals of the AFC Champions League, but coach Gregorio Manzano is hoping it will be third time lucky for the team from the nation's capital when they take on former champions Jeonbuk Motors in the first leg of their last 16 clash tonight.
Twice Beijing have fallen at this hurdle - in 2010 and 2013 - and in their way stand the 2006 winners and the current leaders in South Korea.
It will be a very difficult match as we know Jeonbuk is the leading team in the K-League and that they are very strong
Gregorio Manzano
Choi Kang-hee's side, who also reached the final in 2011, are the form team in their domestic league, topping the standings by eight points after just 11 games and in attacking trio Edu, Leonardo and Lee Dong-gook they have the tools to end Beijing's hopes of reaching the last eight.
"It will be a very difficult match as we know Jeonbuk is the leading team in the K-League and that they are very strong," said the Spanish coach. "But we have a lot of confidence to play against them, although we know it will still not be easy."
Guoan manager Gregorio Manzano says his team have learned tough lessons from previous disappointments.Photo: EPA
Beijing's form, however, is strong going into the game having not lost in their last five outings, including a run of three wins in the Chinese Super League that has kept them in third in the standings behind leaders Shanghai East Asia and Guangzhou Evergrande.
Manzano's team progressed to the knockout phase from a group featuring the other South Korean giants - the Suwon Bluewings - with a 1-1 draw.
"We have aspirations to pass this stage as in our history we have not passed this stage before," said Manzano. "We are doing well in the league and we hope to also do well in the AFC Champions League.
Guoan overcame Australia's Brisbane Roar in the group stages. Photo: Xinhua
Beijing will host the second leg next week by virtue of topping their group, giving the Chinese side a nominal advantage over the Koreans.
