Written by Han Bing On August 9, Bangkok United reached Chengdu, starting their preparation for the AFC Champions League playoff match against Chengdu Rongcheng on the night of the 12th. Their squad of 29 includes 9 foreign players and 2 naturalized players, with the 37-year-old former La Liga player Danda at the forefront. Last year, they narrowly lost in a penalty shootout to Shandong Taishan in the playoff, but this year, Bangkok United is back with 3 new foreign players and 1 naturalized player, further enhancing their strength. The only disadvantage is that last year, they had the Thai Super League opener as a warm-up for the AFC playoffs, while this year, the Thai Super League has not yet started, leaving Bangkok United without any official matches before the playoffs, which may affect the team’s form.

Former Chinese Super League Player Leads the Attack

In addition to the 37-year-old veteran forward Danda, Bangkok United signed 6 new players this summer, including Brazilian center-back Maia, Moroccan-Dutch winger Al-Hafteh, Japanese forward Kyoju Seiya from Tampines Rovers, and naturalized Japanese midfielder Nakamura Kyo. The attacking trio for Bangkok United retains only the Curacaoan player and Serbian mixed-race center-forward Djokovic.

Standing at 1.87 meters, Djokovic has played for the Netherlands U18-U21 national teams and has over 120 appearances in the Eredivisie, along with more than two years in the Chinese Super League: he transferred to Changchun Yatai in early 2019 for a fee of 2.5 million euros, later loaned to Guangzhou City, and left the CSL in the summer of 2021. Last season, Djokovic contributed 15 goals and 10 assists in 40 matches for Bangkok United, scoring first in the AFC playoff against Shandong Taishan, but missed the penalty in the shootout that led to the team's elimination. Earlier in the year, he also scored against Sydney FC in an away match in the AFC Champions League 2.

Oman forward Jassani, who scored 22 goals and provided 2 assists in 41 matches last season, found the net in both home and away matches against Sydney FC in the AFC Champions League 2. The duo of Jassani and Djokovic will pose the biggest threat to the Rongcheng defense.

The two Japanese newcomers also had impressive statistics in the Singapore league last season. Forward Kyoju Seiya played 45 times, scoring 25 goals and assisting 14 times, including 6 goals in 6 group stage matches of the AFC Champions League 2, with 3 goals against Bangkok United, which led to his recruitment this summer. Midfielder Nakamura Kyo also had 3 goals and 11 assists in 45 matches last season. New right winger Al-Hafteh scored 3 goals and provided 1 assist in the Dutch second division last season, while Serbian left winger Aric, who joined last summer, scored 4 goals and assisted 2 times in 5 Thai Super League matches since March this year, fully integrating into the team.

On the defensive end, Maia has formed a Brazilian center-back duo with captain Everton, along with Indonesian international left-back Arhan, and two naturalized center-backs, Beer (of German-Thai descent) and Inaram (of Nigerian-Thai descent). Bangkok United's strength in both attack and defense has significantly improved compared to last season. With the addition of foreign and naturalized players, this year's squad size for Bangkok United has increased by two compared to last year.

Aiming for the AFC Champions League Group Stage for the Fourth Time

Bangkok United's coach Sripan has previously failed in his three attempts to lead Thai teams to the AFC Champions League group stage, losing 0-3 to Shanghai SIPG and Gamba Osaka in 2016 and 2018 respectively, and losing to Shandong Taishan in a penalty shootout last year. This year marks his fourth attempt to lead the team into the group stage, and it is also Bangkok United's fourth historical attempt. In 2017 and 2019, Bangkok United lost to Johor and Hanoi, failing to even reach the third round of the playoffs. Last year, they finally made it to the playoffs but were unfortunately eliminated in a penalty shootout.

Thai teams have historically struggled in the AFC Champions League playoffs. Since the introduction of playoffs in 2009, Thai teams have only succeeded in reaching the group stage 3 out of 25 attempts, with successes from Monton United (2010), Buriram United (2013), and Pathum United (2023). In 2021, due to the withdrawal of three Australian teams, the two Thai teams participating in the playoffs, Chao Pak and Ratchaburi Mitr Phol, advanced without a fight, which does not count as defeating opponents to qualify.

In previous AFC Champions League playoffs, Thai teams have faced Chinese Super League teams 9 times, with only 1 success. They have lost to Beijing Guoan (2014, 2015), Shanghai SIPG (2016, 2017, 2018, 2020), Zhejiang (2023), and Shandong Taishan (2024), with the only victory being Pathum United's away win against Shanghai Port in 2023. This time, Bangkok United naturally hopes to replicate the miracle of Pathum United two years ago by defeating Rongcheng away to qualify.

Bangkok United's preparations for the new season began with a full team health check on July 21, and the club is filled with anticipation for the new season. On August 8, Bangkok United, together with their new equipment sponsor, unveiled their new kit for the 2025/26 season as a pledge ceremony before heading to Chengdu. On the morning of August 9, the entire team set off for Chengdu.

Former Thai national team midfielder Titi Pan is suspended and will miss this match. Titi Pan has faced the Chinese team four times, providing 2 assists, and his absence is a significant loss for Bangkok United. Additionally, veteran forward Danda may also miss the match due to injury. Bangkok United's hopes of qualifying for the AFC Champions League group stage for the fourth time will rest on the four new foreign players brought in during the summer transfer window.