This year's AFC Champions League has been a stormy and star-studded affair, with international soccer giants such as Crowe, Benzema and Neymar absent due to injury, but Riyadh Victory, Jeddah United and Riyadh Crescent have come out on top of the group stage and advanced to the knockout stage by virtue of their strength.
The Chinese Super League (CSL) teams are struggling to get out of the group for the time being. However, a Chinese powerhouse has rewritten the Asian soccer landscape with its actions, and that is Zhejiang. According to soccer reporter M, the Chinese Super League's technical points have climbed to 8.233, one step ahead of the Thai Premier League, jumping to seventh place in Asia, all thanks to Zhejiang's performance in the AFC Champions League.
At the start of the season, the Chinese Super League and Thai Super League were level on points, both at 6.233. Bangkok United's impressive performance in the AFC Champions League lifted the Thai Premier League to 7.233 points, making Zhejiang's direct clash with Buriram United a key battle to determine the standings of the two leagues.
Zhejiang were in trouble at the start of the match after a lightning breakthrough by Buriram United. However, the heroics of Leonardo, Frank & Lux Porcinolo helped Zhejiang turn the score around and eventually won 3-2. The victory not only earned technical points for the Super League, but also psychologically surpassed direct rivals Thai Super League, highlighting Zhejiang's strength and will.
The loss of Buriram United certainly hit them hard. Following the loss of the national soccer team, the loss of the Asian ranking advantage, the mentality imbalance, and the constant conflict with Zhejiang. In comparison, Zhejiang's performance certainly surpassed that of Shandong Taishan. Although Taishan is expected to be the only team in the Chinese Super League (CSL) to advance to the knockout stage and win glory for Chinese soccer, it has not faced the critical moment to decide the rankings of the CSL and the Thai Super League.
Zhejiang's home win over Buriram showed the team's determination and courage. However, the news of the team's disbandment for the next season is endless. If the team is really relegated or disbanded like the Guangzhou team, it will undoubtedly be a great sorrow for Chinese soccer.
Despite the fact that the club's shareholder, Greentown China, has no investment in the Zhejiang team and rumors of its withdrawal from the board of directors have put the team on the verge of disbanding, the Zhejiang team is full of confidence in the new Chinese Super League season.
Meanwhile, Zhejiang team is strengthening itself through reform and cooperation. Recently, they have reached an agreement with Japan FC that all the ladder teams will receive professional training from the Japanese club. If Zhejiang team can maintain the status quo, it is expected to become the new Chinese Super League in the future.
We sincerely hope that the Zhejiang team will grow quickly, shine in the Chinese Super League and the Asian Championship stage, and bring more hope and glory to Chinese soccer.
