On November 5th Beijing time, the fourth round of the AFC Champions League kicked off with two CSL teams participating. Chengdu held Seoul to a 0-0 draw on the road, while the league leaders Shanghai Port were soundly beaten 0-2 by the formidable Buriram United. Consequently, the latest rankings have been updated: Buriram United claimed their second victory and climbed to fifth, Seoul ranks eighth, Chengdu is second to last, and Shanghai Port is stuck at the bottom with only one point from four games.

Chengdu versus Seoul. Chengdu ranks third in the Chinese Super League and, with only one round remaining, has already been eliminated from the title race, allowing them to fully focus on the AFC Champions League. Facing the strong Korean side Seoul this round, winning was a tough challenge. However, Seoul lacked creativity and attacking power, and Chengdu also struggled to score. Their only goal was unfortunately disallowed. Ultimately, the match ended in a 0-0 draw, and Chengdu securing a point away is acceptable.

Shanghai Port versus Buriram United. Shanghai Port leads the Chinese Super League and is the top favorite to win the title, but they have become embroiled in controversy. While dominant domestically, they have become weak in the AFC Champions League, losing badly. This round’s opponent, the strong Thai team Buriram United, was tough to face, especially away from home, adding pressure. As expected, Shanghai Port had a difficult game, being dominated in both attack and defense, struggling to mount effective offense. They conceded one goal in each half and lost 0-2 to Buriram United, extending their winless streak to four matches and falling to the bottom of the group. The CSL champion is now last — who can they complain to?

In the latest AFC Champions League standings, Chengdu and Shanghai occupy the bottom two spots, increasing the pressure. The Chinese Super League still has Shanghai Shenhua yet to play, who remain the only hope for advancing into the top eight. The situation looks most promising for them!
Written by / Sports Fiction