Guangzhou Evergrande's Elkeson fights for the ball as Western Sydney defenders try to tackle him. (Photo : Reuters)
Chinese football team Guangzhou Evergrande Taobao is determined to remain as the top team in Chinese football.
The team's management held a meeting on Feb. 5 to discuss their objectives and goals for the next five years.
According to club chairman Xi Jaiyin, Evergrande's main goal for the next five years is to become a world-class club that could compete with other international teams.
To achieve this, the management of the Chinese Super League's No. 1 team has laid down new rules in preparation for the AFC Champions League.
According to the new rules, all players must be present at the club's training beginning at least five days before any AFC Champions League match. The management has also imposed a ban on players from talking to the media or any social network days before a crucial match.
These new rules were set to further ensure the players' focus and mental preparedness before any game.
As an incentive, the club's management has also announced their new bonus scheme during the meeting.
In the new bonus program presented, 3 million yuan ($480,000) would be given for each win, while 1 million yuan would be allotted for a draw. A separate 3 million yuan would be given for each goal difference acquired by the team.
As the AFC Champions League follows a knock-out stages format, the management would present a 10-million-yuan bonus to the team if it advances to the next round.
The Chinese Super League defending champions lost to the Western Sydney Wanderers on their quarterfinals match in 2014, which saw them exit the competition.
Evergrande Guangzhou would finally have the chance to get back at the Australian-based club as the two have been drawn in one group for this year's AFC Champions League.
