On the evening of March 11, Beijing time, the second leg of the AFC Champions League Elite League 1/8 finals was replayed 2 games, Shanghai Port was eliminated by Yokohama Mariners 1-5 in two legs, and the Thai team Buriram United eliminated Johor Bahru 1-0.

According to real-time data compiled by football data website Footy Rankings, the AFC club technical score Thailand has risen to 7th place in Asia by 0.191 points ahead of China, while the technical score of the Chinese league has fallen to 8th place.

If this ranking is maintained until the end of all matches this season, it means that the number of places for Chinese Super League teams to participate in the 2026-27 AFC AFC will be reduced from 2+1+1 to 1+1+1 (one direct access to the AFC Champions League + 1 direct access to the AFC Champions League II main stage). This is obviously not something that Super League fans want to see.

Of course, the Chinese Super League still has one last chance, and that is to hope for Shanghai Shenhua. If Shenhua can eliminate Kawasaki Frontale, China's technical score will surpass Thailand's. And if Shenhua is overturned by Kawasaki, then the Chinese Super League is destined to be suppressed by the Thai Super League, thus reducing the number of Asian tournaments. Such a grim situation will undoubtedly bring huge pressure to the upcoming Shenhua.