With Shanghai SIPG ensuring four Chinese Super League clubs make the AFC Champions League groups is it their year?
Last season’s semi-finalists join league champions Guangzhou Evergrande, city rivals Shenhua and Tianjin Quanjian in the group stages next month
Guangzhou Evergrande qualified as champions, while SIPG’s crosstown rivals Shenhua won their Chinese FA Cup final to take the other automatic place.
That meant that SIPG, who reached the Champions League semi-final last season as well as finishing runners-up in the league and the cup, and Tianjin, who won earlier in the day, had to go through the play-offs.
The hosts were made to work for their win at Shanghai Stadium against Thai side Chiangrai United, with a goal from Yu Hai just after half time separating the sides. Yu had earlier been booked for fouling the impressive Chiangrai goalkeeper Chatchai Budprom.
SIPG started with Brazilian duo Hulk and Oscar alongside Uzbek Odil Ahmedov as their foreign contingent. The Chinese Super League’s all-time top foreign goalscorer Elkeson joined the action in the second half.
SIPG’s reward for their victory is the final place in Group F alongside Kawasaki Frontale of Japan, South Korea’s Ulsan Hyundai and Australian team Melbourne Victory.