In the AFC Champions League, one of the top three teams in the Chinese Super League, Wuhan Sanzhen and Pohang Ironmen, have come to an end. In the sixth round of the group stage, Sanzhen's journey came to an unfortunate end despite a 1-1 draw at home against their opponents. Even with a victory in sight, the road to promotion is still far away. The so-called regret is just the team's failure to provide the fans with a victory in the last match. As a first-time player in the AFC Champions League, San Zhen has given their best in these six matches. After the match, goalkeeper Liu Dengzheng expressed regret for failing to win and looked to the future, "We will come back next year and thank the fans for their support, this year is really not easy."
Looking ahead to next year, what will the journey be like for Tri-Town? Fans have no other choice but to be filled with good wishes. Expect every professional team to seize the last chance and successfully break through. Shandong Taishan and Zhejiang also completed their matchup in the final round of the AFC Champions League group stage. Zhejiang still has a chance to qualify for the group stage, while Shandong Taishan, who topped Group G, has the best hope of advancing. They will face Yokohama Mariners on the road, and as long as they don't make the same mistake, Taishan will be able to advance, and it will only be a matter of whether they finish first or second in the group.
Pohang Ironman missed two open goals against Yokohama Mariners, which was a surprise to the fans, even though they had already advanced to the next level! If Pohang Ironman is placed in the Chinese Super League, I am afraid that it will make the Chinese fans of the "saliva star" feel the pressure. After the game, fans said: "Pohang Ironman's performance is really bad!" "Liu Dengzuo launched an attack in the midfield, Pohang is buying a draw?" "Giving Sanjin a goal is disgusting. They chose to pass the ball instead of shooting at an open goal."
Not every team can be so "lucky", and not all Chinese Super League teams can be as "unlucky" as the Korean team yesterday! Yokohama Marinos beat Shandong Taishan 1-0, and are now third in the group, with a tough situation to qualify. They will have to give it their all when they return home. Taishan is missing two foreigners, Moises and Fellaini, and Pato has returned to Brazil early. The team will need to develop targeted tactics, focusing on defensive counter-attacks and the three domestic midfielders!
Coach Choi Kang-hee used a three center back tactic in at least the first half, with Lee Won-yi, Hwang Jung-woo, and Liao Li-Sang starting in the three midfielders, as the opponents racked their brains to engage in a physical battle and shrink the space. Considering the Yokohama players' foot skills and localized cooperation, Taishan team can't make high-intensity stealing, once the stealing fails, it will be seized by the opponent. Adopting the bucket formation to tighten up the defense and then looking for opportunities to make quality counterattacks, this may be able to steal a point and make the opponent invulnerable.
In addition to the absence of the center and forward line, the right side of the Taishan team is also a major concern. Will Li Hailong be able to start? If not, perhaps we can only play Ji Xiang or Relax, both of whom will have a difficult time playing with a full load. Liu Binbin's performance is crucial! If breakthrough is not a problem, Xie Wen can be more reliable, Liu Binbin plays as a right back in the national team, if Lao Cui adopts three center backs, Liu Binbin plays right back again? If Ji Xiang can stay healthy, long passes can still help the team.
Facing Yokohama Marinos on the road, Taishan must refuse the "double kill"! The pressure is on the opponents, but we are weak and the opponents are strong. On behalf of the Chinese Super League, Taishan must succeed in the lineup!
