With the 2023 season in full swing, the big guns are fighting for a place in the top flight. Asian teams, in particular, value the AFC Champions League as the highest-value arena. They have their sights set on the event and are eager for their teams to come out on top in the fierce competition. The top 16 teams from the Eastern Conference have already progressed to the last 8 and will now face each other according to the rules of the draw, which is reminiscent of the Champions League.
In Group C, leaders Jeddah United, Riyadh Crescent in Group D and Riyadh Victory in Group E are in the spotlight. United Jeddah have Benzema and Kante, while Riyadh Crescent have Milinkovic-Savic, Neves and Mitrovic, with Neymar giving the team a "spiritual boost". Cristiano Ronaldo's leadership, assisted by Brozo and Mane, has made these stars the stars of the field.
Their top positions in their respective groups are a strong testament to their strength. After a period of disarray, Jeddah United's new coach and players are trying to recapture their former glory, with the addition of Benzema undoubtedly a key part of the equation. Crescent consolidated their lead with a win in the Riyadh derby, with the players reassuring fans with their excellent play. As for Victory, the Portuguese legend, once known as the "King of the Champions League", is also eager to realize his dream of reaching the top in Asia.
With such fierce competition, the results speak for themselves.
Apart from these shining stars, the rise of Uzbekistan was unexpected. The Naseef-led Group B team managed to win the title, while Naaman's Spring Festival finished as runners-up in Group D. The team's success in the tournament has been a great success. Such results have left Uzbekistan ecstatic that their soccer career is rapidly taking a qualitative leap forward.
It is important to understand that in the past these qualifications were often monopolized by teams such as the UAE and Iran, but now Uzbekistan has joined the competition, which would have been unthinkable in the past. Of course, the rapid development of Uzbekistan's soccer is not possible without the promotion of the music sector, which is crucial to improving the performance of the national team. What's more, their national team squad has few foreign players and their actual role is limited. They rely on homegrown players, a model that greatly inspires the players, which is something the Chinese Super League should learn from.
In contrast, Shandong's advancement is somewhat of a shame. When clubs prosper, the national team naturally makes a difference; and vice versa. This equation will always hold true, and Uzbekistan will soon become a strong opponent for the Chinese national team. If we continue with the status quo, I am afraid we will gradually regress. After all, the hustle and bustle of our opponents will bring great confidence, which is crucial to winning or losing a match.
