This yearAFC Champions LeagueThe group stage was successfully concludedSuper LeagueOnly Shandong Taishan advanced to the knockout stage. However, regardless of whether it is from the West Asia regionSaudi ArabiaThe strength of the team, or the strength of the Japanese and South Korean teams from East Asia, let itSuper LeagueThe team is feeling the pressure. Super LeagueThe league has significantly reduced its funding investment, coupled with the average performance of foreign aid, which makes it possibleSuper LeagueThe team has no clear advantage against Southeast Asian teams and can only survive in the cracks.
in the East Asian regionAFC Champions LeagueIn the group stage, the results of the Japanese and South Korean teams were basically in line with expectations, and both teams advanced to the knockout stage with three teams. South Korea's Ulsan Hyundai, Pohang Steeler, and Jeonbuk Hyundai made the cut. Although Incheon United, which lost the hope of competing for the championship, performed well, scored 12 points, and even beat Yokohama Mariners in the group stage, but unfortunately becauseGoal differenceThe reason for not qualifying. Ulsan Hyundai and Jeonbuk Hyundai had mediocre performances in the group stage, but they managed to advance in the final round, thanks to Hong Myung-bo's former Zhejiang, who drew against Melbourne Victory, otherwise Ulsan Hyundai would have been eliminated.
And the Japanese team becauseJ-LeagueRightAFC Champions LeagueThe low level of emphasis on the tournament has led to many teams not fielding their full squad in the group stage. Despite this, it is still possible to see the technical and tactical superiority of the Japanese team. For example, Kofu Wind Forest, which is ranked 8th in the J2 League, qualified as the top of the group. The Yokohama Mariner barely sent their full squad to compete for the league title, and only sent five foreign players in the final game, resulting in a 3-0 victory over Shandong Taishan. Urawa Red Diamonds are up for grabsAFC Champions LeagueThe crucial moment of qualification was also reserved, and in the end he missed the promotion. And lost the hope of winning the championship earlyKawasakiThe striker puts more energy intoAFC Champions LeagueOn the field, he successfully advanced with an undefeated record, which is a reasonable result.
Super LeagueThe team fielded the first team this seasonAFC Champions Leagueevent, but due to a significant reduction in investment and poor performance of foreign aid, the performance was mediocre as expected. Except for Shandong Taishan, the results of other teams are very poor. Take Harbour as an example, they were originally stronger and had a higher level of foreign reinforcement, but unfortunately they lost in the play-offs. In general,Super LeagueThe team's actual performance is on par with the teams of the Thai Premier League and the Australian Premier League, but compared to the teams of Japan and South Korea, the gap is significant.
Next year,AFC Champions LeagueThe format will be reformed, with the Elite League winner bonus increasing to $12 million and runners-up to $4 million, as well as an increase in group stage win-win and away bonuses. ForSuper LeagueClub,AFC Champions LeagueNo longer a loss-making business, but an opportunity to earn great bonuses. With the incentive of bonuses,Super LeagueThe team can choose a better strength of foreign players to get a more generous bonus return, which is very importantSuper LeagueThe league's ability to get out of the doldrums as soon as possible is a strong push.
Be careful, however, that next year'sAFC Champions LeagueThere are only 12 teams in the East Asian region of the tournament, and the opponents will be strongerSuper LeagueIt should be more difficult for the team to pick up points than it has been this season. The good news is that next year representsSuper LeagueFightAFC Champions LeagueThe 3 teams of the Elite League, Haigang and ShanghaiShenhuaand Shandong Taishan is relatively stable in operation. It's for themAFC Champions LeagueIt provides the conditions for playing better on the field.
And in the West Asia region, due toSaudi ArabiaThe league has invested heavily in the recruitment of top superstars, which has improved the strength of other leagues by at least one dimension. Riyadh Crescent, Jeddah United and Riyadh Victory all topped their groups, while Faha, who did not bring in a top star, also qualified. Riyadh Crescent still performed well without Neymar after four rounds of group games, and even played only three foreign players in the last two rounds, ranking first in the group with an excellent record of 5 wins and 1 draw.
The Riyadh Victory with Ronaldo as the core eliminated the UAE's Dubai Young Nationals in the play-offs, and then remained unbeaten in the group stage with 4 wins and 2 draws, especially in the offensive end. And the previous championship group in the West Asia region, Sade, Duhail,PersiaPolis and Tashkent cotton farmers failed to qualify. Although Ain advanced, he was not in the groupSaudi ArabiaThe team, like Nassaf in Group B, has a lot of gold content.
The following season,AFC Champions LeagueThe format will be reformedSaudi ArabiaThe team will have three group stage spots, and since there are only 12 teams from each of the two regions, the East and West regionsSaudi ArabiaThe team will have a bigger advantage. Moreover, the Asian tournament will remove the restriction on the registration of foreign aid, which is very important for those with strong capitalSaudi ArabiaIt was a clear opportunity for the team to break free. In terms of reinforcements, only Qatar and the UAE can matchSaudi ArabiaTeams compete. This season, the Qatari summer city has invested a record 1600 million euros, bringing in many stars, but because most of them were missingAFC Champions League, so can't be withSaudi ArabiaThe teams are pitted against each other.
In the past,AFC Champions LeagueThe East Wind prevails over the West Wind on the field, with West Asian teams winning just three titles in the last 17 seasons, which has led the AFC to push for reforms and create opportunities for West Asian teams. In the top 8 of the Elite League and beyond, there will be no divisions, which is a clear advantage for those who have a clear advantage in strength and have the advantage of the hostSaudi ArabiaFor the team, there is a high probability that they will be able to kill all sides.
In general,Super LeagueThe team is inAFC Champions LeagueThe field is facing a situation of survival in the cracks. Although next year's bonus will be raised to:Super LeagueThe team brings hope, but it is impossible to ignore the strength of the opponents and the reform of the Asian competition. Super LeagueThe team needs to find a better balance in terms of capital investment, foreign aid introduction and tactical playAFC Champions LeagueMore competitive on the field. At the same time, the organization of the league also needs to be increasedSuper LeagueThe support of the team provides them with a better competitive environment and development opportunities. Only then,Super LeagueThe team can be inAFC Champions LeagueCatch up on the field, forChinese footballGlory.