AFC Champions League Roundup: CSL Teams Secure Wins and Draws Over Japanese and Korean Opponents; Zhejiang Suffers Opening Loss in Secondary League

On September 19, in the first round of the AFC Champions League secondary league group stage, Zhejiang FC lost 0-2 to Lion City Sailors away from home. The four Chinese Super League (CSL) teams achieved two wins, one draw, and one loss in the opening round of the AFC Champions League and its secondary league, with Shandong Taishan and Shanghai Shenhua both securing victories.

In the AFC Champions League Elite League, the CSL teams secured two wins and one draw, outperforming their counterparts from Japan and South Korea. All three participating teams from China, Japan, and South Korea played in this league. Shandong Taishan defeated Central Coast Mariners from Australia 3-1 at home. Shanghai Shenhua, despite facing significant adversity, managed to overturn a 1-4 deficit against South Korea’s Pohang Steelers, winning 4-1. This was the first time in AFC Champions League history that Shandong Taishan won at home against an Australian team, while it marked the first home victory for Shanghai Shenhua in the tournament in 15 years, signifying a new era for both teams.

Shanghai Port, starting with six foreign players plus naturalized player Jiang Guangtai, drew 2-2 with Johor Darul Ta’zim from Malaysia. However, Shanghai Port, who were not in top form, had to equalize twice after falling behind.

In the AFC Champions League Elite League, the CSL teams achieved two wins and one draw in the opening round, surpassing the performance of teams from Japan and South Korea. The three Japanese teams recorded one win, one draw, and one loss. Besides Yokohama F. Marinos’ 3-7 defeat to Gwangju FC, Vissel Kobe drew 0-0 with Buriram United, while Kawasaki Frontale beat Ulsan Hyundai 1-0 away from home. Among the South Korean teams, apart from Gwangju FC’s victory, Pohang Steelers and Ulsan Hyundai both lost their opening matches.

In the AFC Champions League secondary league: Zhejiang suffers an opening loss, while Japanese and South Korean teams secure big wins

In the AFC Champions League secondary league, only one team each from China, Japan, and South Korea participated. In their opening match, Zhejiang FC faced Lion City Sailors without four suspended players and captain Frank, who was injured and did not travel with the team, losing 0-2 to the almost entirely foreign and naturalized Lion City Sailors.

The Japanese team Sanfrecce Hiroshima secured a 3-0 victory over Ceres Negros at home. Notably, Sanfrecce Hiroshima rotated their squad for this match against a weaker opponent. Meanwhile, South Korea’s Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors secured a 6-0 victory over Cebu Club from the Philippines, marking a strong start to their campaign.