On January 17, Beijing time, the 2022 AFC Champions League draw was released, Guangzhou team will challenge the Japanese champion Kawasaki Forward, while Shandong Taishan is in the same group as former AFC Champions League champion Urawa Red Diamonds, and Shanghai Harbor draws the lottery. It is worth mentioning that the AFC Champions League group stage began in April, and 5 groups in east Asia, 5 groups first and 3 best group 2 advanced to the knockout round.
The four teams representing the Chinese Super League in the AFC Champions League this year are Shandong Taishan, the double champion of the Chinese Super League and the FA Cup, Shanghai Haigang, the runner-up of the Chinese Super League, Guangzhou, the third place of the Chinese Super League, and the fourth place of the Chinese Super League, Changchun Yatai. Yatai is participating in the AFC Champions League for the third time, returning after 12 years and needs to start from the qualifiers.
The problem of the Chinese Super League team is still the schedule, once there is a conflict with the Chinese Super League, perhaps the same as in 2021, the Chinese Super League team will send reserve teams to participate, which is equivalent to giving up the AFC Champions League. Therefore, in the case of uncertainty between Chinese Super League teams, Japanese and Korean teams may be more competitive, with the J League and K League champions being Kawasaki Striker and Jeonbuk Hyundai respectively.
In the end, the result of the draw is as follows:
Group F: Shandong Taishan, Urawa Red Diamonds, Lion City Mariners, Play-off Team 4 (Daegu FCvs Buriram United)
Group G: Baton United, Jeonnam Tenryu, Philippine Union City, Melbourne City
Group H: Jeonbuk Hyundai, Yokohama Mariners, Jialai Huangying, Play-off Team 1 (Changchun Yatai vs AoFA Cup Winner / Kaya)
Group I: Kawasaki Striker, Guangzhou, Johor, Play-off Team 3 (Ulsan Hyundai vs Taygang)
Group J: Shanghai Harbour, Chiang Rai United, Jai Chi, Play-off Team 2 (Kobe Victory Vs Sydney FC/Shan Confederation)
Judging from the results of the draw, Shandong Taishan's opponents include Japan's Urawa Red Diamonds and possibly Daegu, which should be said to be normal signing luck, Urawa Red Diamonds returned to the AFC Champions League as the Japanese Cup champion, as a former AFC Champions League champion, the strength should not be underestimated. Guangzhou team will challenge the Japanese champion Kawasaki forward, the problem of Kawasaki forward is that in the AFC Champions League can not play out the dominance of the country, but obviously not the current all-Chinese class Guangzhou can cope, not to mention the Guangzhou team group probability also has Ulsan Hyundai, Guangzhou team out of the hurry. Shanghai Harbor is relatively divided in a good group, if you play well, you can qualify. Once promoted, Changchun Yatai will play against Japan and South Korea's Jeonbuk Hyundai and Yokohama Mariners.
From the perspective of strength, Shandong Taishan is the team with the greatest hope in the Chinese Super League, and in the 2021 season, it has proved that it is almost the only one in China, and if the Guangzhou team does not introduce foreign aid, the whole Chinese class will definitely be no play in the AFC Champions League. In terms of Shanghai's seaport, it depends on whether it can keep oscars. As for Changchun Yatai, the primary goal is to enter the main competition first. Since the Chinese Super League reduced investment, the competitiveness of Chinese Super League teams in the AFC Champions League began to decline, in 2022, can Chinese Super League teams bring surprises?