Brazilian Ricardo Goulart, who has scored eight goals for the Chinese Super League champions in the continental competition this season, was forced off in the second half of the first leg earlier this month due to an ankle injury.
Yu Hanchao is a potential alternative having replaced Goulart at Rashid Stadium and forcing a save from Al Ahli goalkeeper Ahmed Mahmoud with 21 minutes remaining of the first leg following a snap-shot from inside the area before scoring twice for China against Bhutan last week.
“The preparation has gone well and all of our work went as planned. Right now we are still waiting to see about Goulart. All the players are working their best,” said FIFA World Cup-winning coach Scolari, who confirmed all the players involved in the recent joint 2018 FIFA World Cup and 2019 AFC Asian Cup qualifiers are available.
“I have good players and I have players that are dedicated to the game of football, they are professional and have passion. They are never afraid of chasing their dreams, I enjoy working with them, and they deserve to be here.”
Scolari is looking to guide 2013 winners Guangzhou to a second AFC Champions League title in three years to follow in the footsteps of fellow FIFA World Cup-winning coach Marcello Lippi after the Brazilian replaced Fabio Cannavaro at the helm in June.
Guangzhou, who are unbeaten in their last 27 games in all competitions, have yet to taste defeat under Scolari although they are aware a score-draw on Saturday would see Al Ahli claim the title.
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