In the passionate second round of the AFC Champions League round robin matches, Chinese Super League rivals FC Shandong face Thai Super League giants Bangkok United on their home turf. It was a showdown of destiny, with the victor stepping into the elite ranks of the AFC Champions League, while the loser could slip into the abyss of the second tier of the AFC Champions League. The disparity in prize money has forced both sides to take things in their stride, especially in the first half, in an effort to avoid conceding first. It's worth noting that Bangkok United have had three miraculous half-time equalizers in their last four AFC Champions League matches. (Drums of war beat at 8 p.m. on Tuesday!)
Looking back at last season, both teams performed well in the group stage, but neither was able to break through the Yokohama Mariners' defense, with Bangkok United stopping in the Round of 16 and FC Dongdong crashing out in the Round of 8. The latest registration list shows that FC Dongshan has 4 foreigners, while Bangkok United has as many as 7 foreigners, so the two sides are comparable in terms of strength.
Despite a number of spectacular goal-scoring performances in the AFC Champions League, FC Shandong currently sits in fifth place in the Chinese Super League, with a whopping 29 points separating them from leaders Shanghai SC. The team's form isn't good either, with only one win in their last three matches. They are expected to play a solid strategy against a strong Bangkok United side. Bangkok United got the new season off to a good start with a crucial win at home last Friday before flying to China. In their last six official matches, they have won four and lost one, and the clash with FC Shandong is quite an interesting one. Both sides have half chances to win today's match.
