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Western Sydney star Shannon Cole has questioned whether Guangzhou Evergrande fans were encouraged to be hostile towards his team for the second-leg of their Asian Champions League quarter-final in China.
The fledgling A-League club lost Wednesday night’s match 2-1, but advanced to the semi-finals on away goals following last week’s 1-0 upset win at home.
Cole said local supporters were banging on the Wanderers’ hotel doors and calling their rooms in the early hours of the morning before the crucial game.
The midfielder also claimed a driver purposely caused their team bus to crash – twice – on the way to Tianhe Stadium, where they then had “hundreds of bottles” hurled at them.
Laser beams were also reportedly shone into their eyes during play.
“We had all sorts thrown at us,” Cole told Sky Sports Radio’s Big Sports Breakfast on Thursday.
“The team, as well as it seemed like everyone in the city, did their best to make it difficult for us.
“People banging on our doors at three, four, five in the morning; phone calls throughout the night, hurling abuse at us and stuff like that.
“And then, on the way to the game, someone purposely swerved in front of our bus and slammed their brakes on and our bus hit them. And then a bus hit us from behind.
“We had a back-up bus, but then five minutes later had another accident.
“They did everything possible. At the ground, hundreds of bottles were hurled at us.
“But full credit to the guys, it was a fun experience and something we all had a laugh about.”
Asked if he believed fans were seeking revenge for last week’s fiery first-leg in Sydney, where two Guangzhou players were red-carded, Cole said it may have been.
“There’s passion and then there’s stupidity,” he added.
“You think they’re such a big club that the fans would have faith their players could do the job.
“But I felt they tried to take matters into their own hands – whether they were pushed or encouraged by people, who knows?
“Nevertheless, it’s a story to tell for us and a very positive experience.”
Cole said he’d also heard rumours Guangzhou’s highest-paid players were offered up to $1 million in bonuses if they won the match.
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