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Shenzhen need a win back to China
SHENZHEN – China Super League side Shenzhen Jianlibao find themselves in a familiar position as they prepare for Wednesday evening’s AFC Champions League quarter-final second leg clash against Saudi Arabia's Al Ahli at the Shenzhen Stadium, needing a win to prolong their interest in this season's competition. Unfancied at the start of the competition in March after financial problems had led to the departure of China internationals Zheng Zhi and Zheng Bin in the off-season, the 2004 Chinese league champions stunned Japanese giants Jubilo Iwata 1-0 in their opening match. Two months later, they went into their last Group E match against Korean league champions Suwon Bluewings needing a victory to advance to the knockout stage. Preparations for the match had not gone smoothly with Shenzhen struggling in their domestic league after failing to record a win in their first nine matches of the season and their star players in open conflict with coach Chi Shangbin. Club management took the drastic step of sacking Chi and replacing him with Guo Ruilong just a week before their must-win game with Suwon but the move had the desired effect as Shenzhen won 1-0 with a goal by defender Xin Feng to progress to the last eight. Now, having lost 2-1 to Al Ahli in the first leg of their quarter-final clash
in Jeddah, the Chinese side will find themselves with their backs to the wall
once again on Wednesday, needing another home victory to stay alive in the AFC
Champions League.
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