In the AFC Champions League Elite, Chinese Super League teams should seize the opportunity of a favorable draw.

Written by Han Bing On the afternoon of August 18, the draw for the league stage of the 2026/27 AFC Champions League Elite (hereafter referred to as the ACL) was completed. The CSL clubs avoided the top-ranked Japanese league team and the Malaysian powerhouse Johor DT, which features many quality foreign players. It is seen as a favorable draw. Shanghai Port and Beijing Guoan must strive to collect points to reduce the point difference with the Thai League.

For the new season, both the East and West regions of the ACL have expanded to 16 teams, and the draw rules have changed significantly. The 16 teams in the East are divided into four zones, with each zone playing against the four teams from the two adjacent zones. The traditional principle of avoiding teams from the same league applies: leagues with two or more participating teams (Japan, South Korea, Thailand, China) are placed in non-adjacent zones. To prevent excessive disparity in strength during the league stage, the top-ranked league in each region cannot be in the same zone as the second- and third-ranked leagues.

Therefore, before the draw, the CSL, ranked fourth in the East, was already confirmed to avoid Japanese teams, while also locking in the three South Korean teams (ranked second) and the three Thai teams (ranked third). The only remaining issue for the draw was selecting two opponents from Newcastle Jets, Johor DT, and Hanoi Police. Ultimately, Newcastle Jets and Hanoi Police were selected, allowing the CSL teams to successfully avoid their nemesis, against whom they had a record of 1 draw and 2 losses last season.

Last season, the three CSL teams faced Japanese teams nine times in the league stage, recording 3 draws and 6 losses without a win, showing a clear disadvantage. Shanghai Port had 1 draw and 2 losses. Against South Korean teams, they had 2 wins, 4 draws, and 3 losses. Although Buriram United defeated CSL teams three times consecutively, the other two Thai teams, Port and Ratchaburi, are relatively weaker this season, which is beneficial for CSL teams to earn points. Moreover, the opponents include Newcastle Jets and Hanoi Police, who are lower in league rankings, further increasing the chances for CSL teams to secure points.

According to the schedule, Shanghai Port will face Buriram United, Daejeon Citizen, Port, and Hanoi Police at home, and travel to face Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors, Newcastle Jets, Pohang Steelers, and Ratchaburi away. Beijing Guoan has the opposite arrangement: home games against Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors, Newcastle Jets, Pohang Steelers, and Ratchaburi, and away games against Buriram United, Daejeon Citizen, Port, and Hanoi Police.

The CSL teams' matches will begin on September 15, with Shanghai Port playing away against Ratchaburi and Beijing Guoan hosting Pohang in the first round. The group stage will conclude on February 16 next year.

The CSL teams drew a favorable lot, primarily because they avoided strong opponents. None of the current eight opponents are particularly formidable.

Among the three K-League opponents, after 23 rounds of K1 League, Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors is temporarily fourth, Pohang Steelers sixth, and Daejeon Citizen tenth. None have performed outstandingly, especially Daejeon, which is in the relegation group and unlikely to focus on the ACL.

As for Thai League teams, Buriram United underwent a major overhaul in the summer transfer window, bringing in 10 foreign players, including Guangzhou forward Toudouli. Although they have won five consecutive preseason friendlies, the opponents were generally weak, including a 2-0 away victory over fellow ACL participant Ratchaburi. Port has signed six new foreign players, and at the end of July, they participated in the President's Cup in Surabaya, Indonesia, earning 1 draw and 1 loss against Jakarta and Surabaya. Ratchaburi has brought in eight foreign players, including Nigerian forward Amu from Ningbo in the China League One.

Newcastle Jets recently lost two consecutive friendlies to A-League teams. Hanoi Police, despite winning 2-0 away against Adelaide United in the ACL playoff to qualify for the main stage, will not start their new season until the Super Cup on August 30.

The schedule is also favorable. Last season, CSL teams lost three times to Buriram United, with two of those defeats occurring at Buriram's home ground. This time, Shanghai Port has four home games, including against Buriram United, Daejeon Citizen (a weaker South Korean team in terms of form and strength), Port, and Hanoi Police, making it more likely to earn points at home. Although Beijing Guoan must face two South Korean teams, Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors and Pohang Steelers, at home, they also have two weaker opponents, Newcastle Jets and Ratchaburi, and they do not need to travel far to Australia.

Another scheduling advantage is that aside from the three South Korean teams, the leagues in Thailand, Vietnam, and Australia have not yet started. The Thai and Vietnamese leagues begin on September 4, while the A-League is delayed until October 16. Newcastle Jets were eliminated from the Australia Cup as early as July 21 in the 1/32 final, meaning they will have only two official matches—the ACL games—in the three months before the A-League starts.

Both Shanghai Port and Beijing Guoan have signed foreign players for the ACL during the summer window. Shanghai Port, facing little risk of relegation, can focus on the ACL. Beijing Guoan is competing for the league runner-up position but is expected to give their all in the ACL. Currently, the CSL has a chance to narrow the gap with the Thai League and even possibly regain the third spot in the East region standings.