Can Guangzhou win Champions League to lift depressed China football fans?

With their World Cup hopes in tatters thanks to Hong Kong, mainland supporters turn attention to Saturday showdown

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Fans of Guangzhou Evergrande react during the 1st leg of the final. Photo: Xinhua

Published: 11:45am, 19 Nov 2015Updated: 12:32pm, 19 Nov 2015

As Guangzhou Evergrande play for their second Asian Champions League title in three years Saturday, the influx of money, big name stars and coaches to the Chinese Super League has done little to halt the continuing woes of China's national team.

Chinese fans are accustomed to World Cup disappointment, with their team qualifying just once in 2002. The last three attempts all ended with China failing to reach the final round of qualification, and after a goalless draw against Hong Kong on Tuesday, that dismal run is in danger of stretching to four.

Guangzhou coach Luiz Felipe Scolari at the World Cup last summer. Photo: Reuters

Only the eight group winners in the second round of qualification for the 2018 World Cup in Russia are assured of progression to the final round, where they will be joined by the four best second-placed teams. Tuesday's draw means that China are no longer able to overtake Qatar for first place in its group and their only hope is for second – which still may not be enough.

“The Chinese fans need a team like Guangzhou Evergrande to win the AFC Champions League title,” said forward Gao Lin, who has been capped over 80 times for China, but missed the trip to Hong Kong.