The first round of the new AFC Champions League season has been completed, and the performance of the Chinese Super League teams was average. The three teams had one win, one draw and one loss, a performance that reflects the trend of declining competitiveness of Chinese Super League teams and highlights the decline in the overall level of Chinese soccer. With the poor performance of the Chinese Super League teams, several teams rejoiced and several were sad. On the contrary, the development level of Thai soccer in Southeast Asia is rapidly improving, and achieved 2 wins and 1 loss in the first round of the AFC Champions League.
In the new season of the AFC Champions League, the Thai Premier League made history by having three clubs in the competition. On the other hand, the Chinese Super League has only three teams in the competition. In the qualifying round, the Thai Super Team gave the Chinese Super Team a hard time. Pathum United from the Thai Super League beat the Chinese Super League leaders 3-2 to enter the main competition in Hong Kong. It was a battle of Thai soccer against Chinese soccer. There is no doubt that the former Southeast Asian fish maw has fully risen.
In the first round of the new AFC Champions League season, teams from both leagues performed differently. The Chinese Super League is at a disadvantage. Wuhan Three Town, Shandong Taishan and Zhejiang attacked, while the three Thai teams were Pathum United, Bangkok United and Buriram! These teams are joined by the head-to-head PKs of Buriram vs Zhejiang, a shocking result for these six teams. Buriram beat Zhejiang 4-1, Pathum United lost 1-3 to Ulsan Hyundai and Bangkok beat Lion City Mariners 2-1.
On the other hand, China, only Shandong Taishan won, beating Kaya 3-1 on the road, which was in defense of the dignity of the old Chinese Super League giants. You know, in the 2021 AFC Champions League playoffs, Shanghai Harbour lost 0-1 to Kaya, a Chinese Super League gold team that actually lost to a Southeast Asian fish-belly team. It's a joke. No wonder countless fans were humiliated in Hong Kong after Shandong Taishan's win!
The other team, Wuhan Sanzhen, took on defending champions Urawa Red Diamonds at home in this round, leading twice and being tied twice. The team's ability to stay in control of the game after taking the lead leaves a lot to be desired, and as a new entrant to the AFC Champions League, it was not easy to win a draw. However, it was unfortunate not to win. As a result, the three Chinese Super League teams have a record of one win, one draw and one loss in the first round of matches, which is a bit worse than the two wins and one loss of the Thai Super League teams.
Just looking at the performances of the three teams, there is not much difference between winning and losing a match, but the scary thing is that Pathum United knocked out Shanghai Hong Kong 3-2 in the qualifying rounds, and Wulinam beat Zhejiang 4-1, which clearly reflects the fact that Thailand's superb teams as a whole are outperforming the Chinese Super League (CSL) teams, and that they will no longer be afraid to face the CSL teams. These Thai internationals will return to the national team and will no longer be afraid to face the Chinese men's soccer team.
What an interesting draw for Thailand and China in the 36-team World Cup competition. It's no exaggeration to say that these two teams are in direct competition, and what will be striking is which of them will make it to the top 18. For what it's worth, teams from all leagues are doing very well in the AFC Champions League. As a result, China should be doubly careful in their double-header with Thailand, and the prospects for victory are not good. If they fail to beat Thailand, China will probably be eliminated from the 36-team tournament.
