AFC Champions League Group Stage Finale: Three Super League Teams Have Their Own Thoughts, Wuhan Three Towns Regretfully Bottom the List
As the group stage of the AFC Champions League enters its closing stages, three teams in the Premier League are battling with different goals. Taishan are expected to take sole possession of first place with Yokohama Mariners undefeated. Zhejiang, on the other hand, will need to beat Melbourne on the road to gain a goal difference advantage. As for Wuhan Sanzhen, the showdown with Pohang Ironmen is more of a battle of honor as they are already out of the tournament early. Despite the team's impressive roster and early season expectations of an AFC Champions League performance, the loss in the league and premature exit from the AFC Champions League came as a surprise to the team.
In the final round of home matches, Wuhan Sanzhen faced K-League powerhouse Pohang Ironmen. Pohang Ironmen were at the top of their group and had won all their first five matches, a brilliant record. During the match, Pohang Ironmen took the initiative, while Wuhan Sanzhen was a bit passive but still had many good chances to score. In the 49th minute of the second half, Kang Zhipeng crossed the ball and Korean player Lee Kyu-bo made an own goal to give Wuhan Sanzhen a 1-0 lead. However, Pohang Ironman Lee Ho Jae equalized in the 77th minute. In the final stage of the match, the visitors missed two great chances due to errors, and the fans were puzzled by this. In the end, the two teams shook hands 1-1.
After this match, Pohang Ironmen advanced with an undefeated record of 5 wins and 1 draw. Defending champions Urawa Red Diamonds are second in the group with seven points, unfortunately missing their best chance. Hanoi FC and Wuhan Sanzhen follow with 6 and 5 points respectively. Embarrassingly, Wuhan Sanzhen even dropped to the last place in the group. In this AFC Champions League trip, the team met its Waterloo as the defending Chinese Super League champions. However, the team's undefeated home record was maintained. The loss on the road exposed the team's inexperience.
Next season, Wuhan Three Town will not be in the AFC Champions League and investors have suspended their investments. However, progress has been made on the stock reform and new shareholders are beginning to make contact, so the team's survival is not a concern. However, the investment may not be as strong as in the past. The trip to the AFC Champions League was not ideal, but it gained valuable experience for the team. In the future, no one can predict when the team will play in the AFC Champions League again.
