As the dust settles on the AFC Champions League draw, Ulsan Hyundai have brought a surprise to Shandong Taishan, who don't appear to be a strong opponent. Shandong Taishan have only won 7 out of 16 matches in the Chinese Super League, and if they are unlucky enough to lose, they fear that they will be subjected to banter from Shanghai Harbor.
In the 2023-2024 season of the Asian Champions League, the top four Chinese footballers competed, including Shanghai Seaport, Shandong Taishan, Zhejiang and Wuhan Sanzhen. Shanghai Seaport went down 2-3 to Baton Rouge United in the play-offs and went out of the tournament. Zhejiang and Wuhan Three Town failed to make it out of the group, bringing their AFC Champions League journey to a close. Although Shandong Taishan lost in the final round, they made it to the knockout stage in a thrilling manner, becoming the only team in the Chinese Super League to make it to the knockout stage.
Due to the divisional rules, Shandong Taishan only had to face East Asian teams in the knockout rounds. The draw put Kawasaki Striker and Ulsan Hyundai in the same group, and according to the principle of avoidance, Kawasaki Striker's opponent logically became Shandong Taishan. Kawasaki Striker has played 16 times against Chinese Super League teams, with a win rate of only 43%, and the appearance of Ulsan Hyundai is undoubtedly a generous gift to Shandong Taishan. It's a good luck for Shandong to draw such an opponent.
Since the AFC Champions League was reformed in 2009, Kawasaki Frontale has played 16 times against Chinese Super League teams, with a record of 7 wins, 4 draws and 5 losses. Among them, 4 times with Beijing Guoan, each with 2 wins and 2 losses; with Guangzhou Evergrande against also 4 games, the result is 2 wins and 2 draws; with Guizhou Renhe 2 times, all wins; with Tianjin Jinmen Tiger 1 time, 1 win and 1 loss; with Shanghai Harbor 4 times, 2 draws and 2 losses.
Looking back at the history of meetings with Chinese Super League (CSL) teams, it seems that Shandong Taishan has had good luck against Kawasaki Frontale. However, Shandong Taishan need to show their strength in their first matchup to prove that the Chinese Super League is not only relying on golden dollars and foreign aid, but still has the strength to compete in the AFC Champions League. If Shandong Taishan are unlucky enough to be eliminated, it is feared that they will be ridiculed by Shanghai Harbor.
Although Shanghai Seaport won the Chinese Super League title in the 2023 season, they have never been able to escape the ridicule. One of the most memorable moments for their fans was when they lost 2-3 to Batam United in the AFC Champions League play-offs, missing out on the chance to qualify for the main round. At that time, Shanghai Seaport was at the top of the Chinese Super League, while Batam United was struggling to survive in the Thai Super League and even facing relegation. Shanghai Harbour's loss made many fans question the true strength of the Super League champions.
Nevertheless, Shanghai Seaport managed to win the 2023 Chinese Super League trophy. In the AFC Champions League match against Kawasaki Frontale, Shanghai Seaport has not lost in 4 meetings, with 2 wins and 2 draws. This also shows that Shanghai Seaport's strength should not be underestimated, and the results of soccer matches are always full of variables. There is the possibility of an unexpected win and the risk of an unexpected loss.
