In the third round of the 2023 AFC Champions League group stage, last season's third-placed Chinese Super League side Zhejiang were the first to play against J2 League side Fenglin. The latter eliminated powerhouse Sanfrecce Hiroshima to win the cup last season. The J2 League is currently ranked seventh in this season's competition with 16 wins, 10 draws and 13 losses for 58 points, which is in the upper middle of the table in terms of strength. But because it is a II second-tier team, there is no optimism before the match, but the actual situation is not so.
Zhejiang initially won the signing but lost two consecutive matches in the actual tournament to Buriram United and Melbourne, conceding six goals in the two matches with a broken defense and currently sitting at the bottom of the table with 0 points. In the third round, Zhejiang challenged the leader Jafulin at home. Only with a win can we keep our hopes up, otherwise the chances of advancing are slim. This is the first time in the history of the two teams to meet, and the battle has not been easy to fight. Zhejiang needs to solve the problems at the offensive end, in addition to resisting Uttaka, who has been playing in the Chinese Super League for a long time and is familiar with the characteristics of Chinese Super League teams.
Starting lineup, Zhejiang team used the traditional 442 formation, goalkeeper Zhao Bo, Sun Zheng Ao, Yue Xin, Dong Yu, Lucas formed the defense, Frank led Li Tixiang, Cheng Jin, Zhang Jiaqi partnering midfield, Evra and Mu Xiekui form a double striker; Fenglin is a 343 attacking formation, Ward guarding the city, Lotus Kawasagi grows, Sekiguchi Dai, Kamiya Kaiji form three center backs, Kobayashi Iwai, Hayashida Wei, Pinta Aidou, Yoshiki Torumi teamed up in midfield, and Uttaka, Shimaru, and Gertullio made up the three strikers.
The match started with Zhejiang utilizing the momentum of their home ground to keep the pressure on their opponents, keeping possession at 55% as Kofu-Fenglin utilized more counter-attacking opportunities to create threats. Zhejiang capitalized on their opponent's shaky foothold and got off to a fantastic start in the 9th minute when Lucas grabbed a header off an assist from Li Tixiang.
Trailing, Fenglin quickly launched a counter-attack and created a threat in front of the goal. Uttaka had a chance but Zhao Bo played bravely to save the danger and ensure Zhejiang led by a goal at half-time. Zhejiang continued to attack and in the 57th minute, Frank made consecutive breakthroughs before helping Mushekui to a two-goal lead. Trailing, Fenglin fought back with all their might, but with few chances, Zhejiang's defense was stable, and they eventually maintained their two-goal advantage, giving the leaders their first loss, while winning their first AFC Champions League group stage victory.
