Three Chinese Super League teams have different goals in the final round of the AFC Champions League group stage, Wuhan Sanzhen's battle for honor meets Pohang Ironmen
As the final chapter of the AFC Champions League group stage slowly comes to a close, the three teams in the Chinese Super League have different goals. Shandong Taishan are aiming to top the group with Yokohama Mariners undefeated. Zhejiang, on the other hand, will need to win on the road against Melbourne in order to get a better goal difference. For Wuhan Sanzhen, who are already out of the tournament early, the final match against Pohang Ironmen is more of a battle for honor.
Despite Wuhan Three Town's impressive lineup and high hopes for an AFC Champions League performance at the beginning of the season, the Waterloo in the league and early exit from the AFC Champions League were undoubtedly a heavy blow to the team.
In the final round of the competition, Wuhan Sanzhen hosted the strong K-League powerhouse Pohang Ironmen. Pohang Ironmen were at the top of the group stage and had won their first five matches. However, Pohang Ironmen took the initiative to control the tempo of the match, while Wuhan Sanzhen was a bit passive, but despite this, the team still created a number of attacking chances. In the 49th minute of the second half, Jiang Zhipeng's precise pass gave South Korean player Lee Kyu-Bo an own goal, giving Wuhan Sanzhen a 1-0 lead. However, Pohang Ironman Lee Ho Jae equalized in the 77th minute. Towards the end of the match, the visitors missed two great chances in a row, both of which could not be converted into goals due to outrageous errors, and the two teams eventually shook hands 1-1.
Pohang Ironmen ended up undefeated, while defending champions Urawa Red Diamonds unfortunately missed their best chance to qualify as they finished second in the group with seven points. Hanoi FC and Wuhan Three Town finished with six and five points respectively, with Wuhan Three Town even finishing last in the group, even behind Vietnam. Wuhan Three Town's first ever trip to the AFC Champions League ended hastily, with the team's strength slipping mainly due to Malcolm's absence for many matches and Stanciu's departure from the team, which led to a big reduction in the team's overall strength.
The loss of the AFC Champions League trip, in addition to the strength factor, also exposed the team's lack of experience. Although there are many former Guangzhou players in the team who have participated in the AFC Champions League, the team as a whole is young and the head coach is relatively inexperienced. As the defending Chinese Super League champions, the team's dismal performance in the AFC Champions League is undoubtedly a valuable lesson. Nonetheless, the team has maintained an undefeated home record in the AFC Champions League, but the away losses still highlight the lack of experience.
Next season, Wuhan Three Town will not be in the AFC Champions League and investors have suspended investment, but progress has been made in reforming the team. New shareholders have begun to make contact and there are no worries about future survival, but investment may not be as strong as in the past. The end of the AFC Champions League journey has left Wuhan Three Town looking forward to the next AFC Champions League, but the exact time is yet to be known.
