Preview of the AFC Champions League Secondary League: Zhejiang Team, Hindered by Suspensions and Injuries, Travels Away to Face Lion City Sailors, Aiming for a Winning Start

On September 19, in the first round of Group F of the AFC Champions League Secondary League, Zhejiang Team will face off against Singapore’s Lion City Sailors as visitors. The Lion City Sailors have an almost exclusively foreign player and naturalized player lineup, making them a formidable opponent; can the Zhejiang Team, affected by suspensions and injuries, secure a winning start?

The Lion City Sailors are the top team in Singapore’s league, having participated in the AFC Champions League eleven times. Besides having eight foreign players in their first team, five foreign players from their U19 squad are also on the registration list for the AFC Champions League Secondary League. The list is led by winger Lestienne, who once played for Genoa, German striker Leonard Ti, and midfielder Ramazela.

Although Zhejiang Team registered Leonardo, Dong Yu, Yao Junsheng, and Wang Dongsheng for the AFC Champions League Secondary League, all four cannot play due to suspension. Additionally, Captain Frank did not travel with the team due to injury. Another foreign player, Lucas, is also injured and his participation is uncertain.

Lion City Sailors’ Lestienne has already scored ten goals this season, while Leonard Ti netted twice in the last match, making them key targets for Zhejiang Team’s defense. Moreover, the artificial turf at Lion City Sailors’ home ground poses a challenge for Zhejiang Team.

In the domestic league, Lion City Sailors recently secured a resounding 6-0 victory over their opponents, ending a three-game winless streak. They have won five, drawn one, and lost one of their seven home games this season, including two 7-1 victories.

Zhejiang Team has struggled recently in the Chinese Super League, failing to win any of their last three matches and conceding seven goals. Over their last eight games, they have only managed one win, one draw, and six losses, and have been winless in their last six away games, with one draw and five losses.

This will be the first meeting between Lion City Sailors and Zhejiang Team. The last time Lion City Sailors faced a Chinese Super League team in the AFC Champions League was in the 2022 season against Shandong Taishan’s youth team, where they remained unbeaten with one win and one draw.

Last season, Zhejiang Team was grouped with another Southeast Asian team, Buriram United, losing 1-4 away. Notably, Zhejiang Team did not win any of their three away games in the AFC Champions League last season, securing one draw and two losses, eventually finishing third in the group without qualifying.

Given that the teams have never met before, this match will be a clash of the unknown. Lion City Sailors held back in their last domestic league game, aiming for a winning start. Despite fielding a weakened side, Zhejiang Team will not let go of the opportunity to secure a winning start.

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