Chilling reporter passes on the report, December 13, the AFC Champions League group war curtain fell, only Taishan a single breakthrough into the Chinese Super League. Despite the West Asian powerhouse Saudi Arabia's luxury lineup, but in East Asia, Japan and South Korea remain strong. Sharply reduced investment in the Chinese Super League, the face of the Southeast Asian powerhouse team is also difficult to prevail, can only survive in a competitive environment.
East Asia battle, strength distribution and the league is similar, Japan and South Korea three teams managed to qualify, the Chinese super Taishan alone.
In South Korea, Ulsan Hyundai, Pohang Steelers and Jeonbuk Hyundai all made it out of the tournament. Incheon United, though a bit weaker, did well enough to beat Yokohama Marinos with 12 points. Ulsan Hyundai (10 points) and Jeonbuk Hyundai (12 points) were even stronger, with mediocre performances in the group stage, both advancing in the final round. Coach Hong Myung-bo owes a special debt of gratitude to former hosts Zhejiang, who would have eliminated Ulsan Hyundai if not for their draw with Melbourne. Pohang Steelers, despite having an unsettled squad, topped the group thanks to an all-Korean team.
J-League teams focus on the league and perform well in the AFC Champions League. This year's AFC Champions League group stage clashed with the league championships and promotion sprints, and the teams focused more on their local leagues. Even so, the Japanese teams still showed exquisite skills. the eighth J2 League Jaffa Wind Forest group first, both the advantages of the group, but also the strength of the power; in order to compete for the league title, the Mariners AFC Champions League only sent a non-exhaustive main force, and finally beat Taishan 3-0; Urawa Red Diamonds in the end of the season to compete for the AFC Champions League qualification of the key moment to have reservations, and the results of both ends of the shortfall; Kawasaki Frontier lost the hope of winning the championship early, but the AFC Champions League to invest in more, with an undefeated record to advance to the deserved. Kawasaki Frontale lost their title hopes early, but invested more in the AFC Champions League, and deserved to advance with an undefeated record.
The Chinese Super League teams sent their first-team squad to the AFC Champions League again after two years, with reduced investment and underpowered foreigners, performing in line with expectations. Apart from Taishan, Sanzhen and Zhejiang both performed poorly. The former port was stronger and had better foreign aid, but unfortunately met its Waterloo in the play-offs. The overall strength of the Chinese Super League is equivalent to the Thai Super League and the Australian Super League, and the gap with Japan and South Korea is obvious.
The AFC Champions League will be reformed next year, with a prize fund of up to $12 million for the winner of the elite league and $4 million for the runner-up, and group stage win bonuses and away subsidies will also be boosted. For Chinese Super League clubs, the AFC Championship is no longer a loss-making expedition, but a battle for prize money worth fighting for. Bonus incentives, the Chinese super team can introduce more excellent foreign aid, get more returns, help the rapid rise of the Chinese super. But next year, only 12 teams in the East Asian region, the opponent is stronger, the Chinese super team will face a greater challenge.
The good news is that three teams - Harbour, Shenhua and Taishan (additional) - will represent China in the elite AFC Champions League next year and operate with relative stability.
In West Asia, Riyadh Crescent, Jeddah United and Riyadh Victory all finished first in the group, with only one loss in 18 group matches, their strength is horrible. The Saudi Arabian league has brought together top stars, and their strength has been upgraded by at least one level. Uzbeki giants Mindanao are second in the group even though they have no superstars. Riyadh Crescent, even without Neymar in the last four rounds of the group stage, is still invincible, and finally with 5 wins and 1 draw in the group; Crow led Riyadh Victory, eliminated the Dubai Young Nationals in the play-offs, and won 4 wins and 2 draws in the group stage, with the obvious advantage of the foreign aid configuration.
Saad, Duhail, Persepolis and Tashkent Cotton Farmers all failed to qualify for the West Asia Regional Championship. Ain advanced, but with no Saudi teams in the group, the gold content was significantly reduced. Next season's AFC Champions League has been reorganized into a top-tier elite league, and Saudi Arabia will be given three group stage places. The abolition of foreign aid registration restrictions in the Asian tournament will undoubtedly liberate the Saudi team from the last shackles. Qatar and the United Arab Emirates in the introduction of foreign aid, the only way to compete with Saudi Arabia.
The Qatari summer city invested a record 160 million euros this season to bring in stars such as Verratti, Draxler, Diallo, Coutinho, Geddes, Plata, Giovanni, Soma and others, but most of the stars did not play in the AFC Champions League.
Saudi Arabia hoarded top stars, team strength significantly improved, the future is likely to monopolize the AFC Champions League. Since 2006, West Asia has only won 17 AFC Champions League titles, and the AFC is constantly "reforming" to create opportunities for West Asia. Elite League, the top eight and later stages will take the tournament system, no longer divided into zones. The Saudi Arabian team, with its superior strength, is expected to sweep the field with the advantage of being the host.
