Marcello Lippi's South American stars look poised to push Guangzhou Evergrande towards a historic Asian title for China in the AFC Champions League final first leg Saturday.

Lippi's lightning trio of Dario Conca, Muriqui and Elkeson have ripped defences apart this season and more is expected when Guangzhou take on FC Seoul in the South Korean capital.

Guangzhou's current exploits are a far cry from just three years ago, when the club, under its former owners, were kicked out of China's top flight for match-fixing.

After bouncing back up from Jia A as champions, Guangzhou, now financed by real estate firm Evergrande, already have their third straight Super League title in the bag.

Victory against FC Seoul, over two legs concluding on November 9, would make them China's first Asian champions in 23 years after Liaoning in 1990.

The team led by Lippi, who coached Italy to victory in the 2006 World Cup, are red-hot favourites after smashing their way into the final with an 8-1 aggregate win over Kashiwa Reysol.

According to Brazil's Muriqui, the competition's record goal-scorer with 13, the key is the blend of foreign and Chinese players -- and the ability to have fun on the pitch.

"I have been able to score a lot of goals this season due to the strong support from the rest of the team," said the 27-year-old.

"Conca and Elkeson give me a lot of support, and together with all the local players, goals will come naturally.

"Conca and Elkeson came from the same league as me so we know how to play together when attacking, and we are also good friends and that makes it fun as well.

"But every one of the local players is excellent and, as football is a team sport, we cannot play if someone is missing."

Guangzhou's weakness is in defence and Seoul's Montenegrin striker Dejan Damjanovic is one man capable of putting the Chinese champions under pressure.

The home side's goalkeeper Kim Yong-Dae is also one of their top players, and his form is likely to be key against the attacking threat of strikers Muriqui and Elkeson.

"It has been one of our goals to reach the AFC Champions League final and it is the number one thing that I have achieved in my professional career," said Muriqui.

"If we became champions of Asia, it would be an extraordinary achievement for every player and it would be an amazing personal memory."