Guangzhou Evergrande head coach Luiz Felipe Scolari has praised the club's owners after reaching the final of the 2016 Chinese FA Cup with a win over rivals Guangzhou R&F in the semifinals of the tournament.

The Southern China Tigers routed the Blue Lions 3-1 in the second leg of their semis clash last Friday to pull off a 5-3 win on aggregate. This apparently prompted Scolari to say that Guangzhou Evergrande's owners are "the best in Asia" at the moment, as per ESPN.

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"For recent good results, I have to show a lot of appreciation for the chairman, Xu Jiayin, and the president, Liu Yongzhuo," said Scolari. "They have been a great help. They have always been there for us, especially when we are at those difficult times and need them the most, they were there. They are best owners, the best bosses in Asia."

Evergrande will face Jiangsu Suning in the final of the FA Cup. The first leg will be on Nov. 19 with the return leg scheduled one week later.

"They kept our players' desire and hunger for wins and titles. They are generous when we need different conditions, they helped us through our ups and downs. They invite the team to dinner and join our meetings," Scolari added.

The praises come amid rumors that former Evergrande manager Marcello Lippi, who coached the Tigers to three-straight CSL championships from 2012 to 2014, is being offered a new deal to coach the team next season.

In a report earlier this month, Football Italia noted that the 68-year-old Lippi is "set for a return to Guangzhou Evergrande" after the team "made an offer for a coaching role starting next season."

Guangzhou's offer was reportedly "met favorably" by Lippi. However, there is still no official confirmation that he will take over from Scolari next year.

TagsChina Football, Chinese Super League, Chinese Super League rumors, Guangzhou Evergrande Taobao FC, Luiz Felipe Scolari