The entire team is ready to go, as Chengdu Rongcheng aims for the AFC Champions League group stage at home!

Reporter Lu Mi reports On August 12 at 19:35, Phoenix Mountain Stadium will host a historic battle in Chengdu football—Chengdu Rongcheng versus Thai powerhouse Bangkok United in the AFC Champions League playoff. This single-elimination match will determine whether Chengdu Rongcheng can reach the AFC Champions League group stage for the first time. To prepare, the entire team has geared up, building confidence with a recent three-match winning streak in the league.

In recent times, Chengdu Rongcheng has faced many challenges. The publicized issues between head coach Xu Zhengyuan and the club have somewhat affected the team's preparations, leading to an away loss against Tianjin Jinmen Tiger. Fortunately, the team has remained very professional, with quick adjustments from both the coaching staff and players. They successfully advanced by defeating Qingdao Hainiu in the FA Cup and achieved three consecutive wins in the league, putting the overall team condition at its best to face the upcoming AFC matches.

Competing on three fronts is a significant challenge for Chengdu Rongcheng. With matches every four days and multiple competitions, the coaching staff has devised different strategies to cope. In the last league match, Shanghai Shenhua lost the Shanghai derby, narrowing the points gap between third-place Chengdu Rongcheng and the top team to just 2 points, reigniting hopes for the league title. Although the team is young and lacks experience in multi-competition scenarios, industry insiders believe that some sacrifices should be made in three competitions. However, the team has not overthought this in their preparations, instead striving for victory in every match because they know this season is of great significance for both the team and the club.

Last season, Chengdu Rongcheng qualified for the AFC Champions League playoff by finishing third in the Chinese Super League. A home victory over the Thai powerhouse Bangkok United would propel them into the group stage, allowing them to compete alongside Asia's elite. This not only marks Chengdu Rongcheng's first appearance in Asia's top tournament since its establishment but also represents the pinnacle of Sichuan football since its professionalization. This will be an important milestone in Chengdu Rongcheng's strategy of "three years to promotion, establishing in the Super League, and aiming for Asia," and it will also help Chinese football maintain a crucial presence on the Asian stage.

It is understood that for the match against Bangkok United, Chengdu Rongcheng will register a full squad of 35 players, including five foreign players: Timo, Felipe, Romulo, Gurlfinkel, and Zhou Dingyang, while the injured Carlon has not been selected. Captain Zhou Dingyang counts as a foreign player, while naturalized players Yang Mingyang and Delgado are recognized as Chinese players. Players from Chengdu Rongcheng's B team, including Li Zhijun, Chen Siliang, Shuai Weihua, Wang Yuehang, Li Ke, and Xiong Jiajun, are also included in the AFC roster.

Notably, Wei Shihao, who is currently in great form, is serving a three-match suspension after being penalized following the AFC Champions League match against Hanoi in the 2023/24 season. One match of that suspension remains to be served, which will be enforced in this playoff, meaning he will miss this match.

In recent league matches, Xu Zhengyuan has made various personnel adjustments. In the previous home match against Beijing Guoan, Wei Shihao was suspended due to a red card, and Xu Zhengyuan started Delgado, who performed excellently with a goal and an assist. In the last away match against Dalian Yifang, considering the upcoming AFC playoff, Xu Zhengyuan rotated the squad, resting key players like Romulo for most of the match, while the forward line consisted of Felipe, Wei Shihao, and Delgado, marking a new attempt.

With Wei Shihao suspended and Hu Heta recovering, the team's wing attack capability has undoubtedly been weakened. However, Xu Zhengyuan emphasized that the team will give their all, and players like Delgado will take on more offensive responsibilities in this match.

It is worth mentioning that the most stable aspect of the team this season has been their defense, having conceded only 16 goals in 20 league matches, the fewest in the Chinese Super League. Bangkok United boasts up to five foreign forwards who excel in wing attacks, while Chengdu Rongcheng's wing defense has been notably successful this season. Hu Heta has been absent for two months, and Gan Chao has shifted to right wing-back, performing excellently on both ends. Felipe's height and aerial ability, combined with Romulo and Zhou Dingyang's efficient midfield transitions, will be key in limiting the opponent's performance.

Although Chengdu Rongcheng enjoys home advantage in this match, they must also prepare for difficulties, as their opponents have as many as nine foreign players, indicating strong capabilities. Despite Bangkok United's numerical superiority in foreign players and potent attacking power, Chengdu Rongcheng, leveraging their home advantage, solid defensive system, and mature high-striker tactics, is expected to control the match. If Romulo can effectively organize play in midfield and Delgado and others perform to their strengths, the team has a chance to secure a crucial victory in front of their home fans. Fans are also looking forward to the moment when the final whistle blows at Phoenix Mountain, with Chengdu Rongcheng's players writing a new chapter for themselves on the Asian stage through sweat and determination.