Emergency news came out of Chinese soccer on August 21st. In response to the AFC Champions League qualifying matches between Shanghai Harbour and Zhejiang, a new report from Sports Weekly suggests that the two play-off matches are actually a preview of the China-Thailand showdown in the 36-team tournament. The news is undoubtedly inspiring good news for national soccer coach Jankovic.
2026 Asian 36 group draw has been over for many days, the national soccer team and South Korea, Thailand, Singapore and Guam winners in Group C, in South Korea's strength is obviously high, the national soccer team can only try to win the group second, therefore, Thailand will also become the national soccer team must be defeated, Zhejiang, Shanghai port next qualifying opponent from the Thai team, the two games can also let Yankovic in advance to familiarize themselves with the Thai team's Tactics.
In this regard, Sports Weekly wrote: "Because the two Thai teams, like the two Chinese Super League teams, have a large number of international players in their squads, it is natural that Hong Kong and Zhejiang playing against the two Thai super teams gives Yankovic a lot of reference and value. At the same time, the media also said that the results of these two AFC Champions League qualifying matches will greatly affect the outside world's view of the Chinese men's soccer team. It can be said that these two games are the national soccer team and Thailand's "outpost".
From the sports weekly report can be seen, Shanghai port, Zhejiang two AFC Champions League play-offs, will give Yankovic a huge reference value, can let Yankovic better study Thailand's tactical characteristics, although the media did not disclose the specific information, but this situation not only let Oscar, Mu Xiequi, Vargas, these foreigners are very surprised, but also let Gao Hongbo in charge of the national soccer team to become a big winner.
Some fans said, "What are you thinking? Does the national soccer team have foreigners like Oscar, Mushiqui and Vargas?" Some fans said, "The national soccer team and the club are two different things. The level of the national soccer team is much lower than Shanghai Seaport. If Shanghai Seaport can participate in the World Qualifiers, Oscar and Vargas will be no less than Son, and even South Korea can win."
Of course, there are also fans who say this: "There is indeed a reference, but if you want to win the Thai team, you have to use the old national football team's style of play, that is, the long pass and punch, otherwise there is no chance at all, however, it can be a good test of Zhang Linpeng and Jiang Guangtai, the pair of back-up defense combination. If they can't beat Thailand, is there still a need to participate in the World Cup? It's best to just disband!"
