It’s been another thoroughly unpredictable and
entertaining group stage in the AFC Champions League, proving once again the continent’s
depth in quality above all with no real stand out performing domestic league since the turn of the year.
The breakdown of the last 16 that progress to the knockout stages was as follows; the West – 2 Iranian, 2 Emirati, 2 Qatari, 1 Saudi & 1 Uzbek, and the East – 2
Chinese, 2 Japanese, 2 Korean & 2 Australian, an even a playing field as it
possibly could’ve been discounting the two South East Asian clubs from Thailand
and Vietnam who struggled generally, with the latter occasionally providing a stubborn
resistance to the established order. Here’s my look back on my key player,
team and talking point of the last 3 months.
The Player
As I did this time last year, I’m glossing over the
credible Brazilian and growing front runner for the Golden Boot in Seoul's Adriano
(who scored 10 goals over the 6 matches) in focussing on an emerging front man
who has turned heads in the group stage. As with Yang Xu last year, Uzbekistan
international Igor Sergeev won’t be playing in the knockout stages, but did
contribute heavily to the goal stakes, scoring 5 (equal or more than the total amassed by the knockout round progressing Sydney and Al-Nasr), whilst proving a key
link up man in Pakhtakor’s attacking philosophy.
The 23 year old, who now captain’s the Tashkent champions
has continued his impressive form ever since he broke through into the club
ranks a few years back. 35 domestic goals in the last two domestic seasons have been
added to this year at a similarly regular rate, 5 in 7 in the league so far to add to
his 5 in 6 in the ACL. For a young man his qualities stretch past his years,
more than capable, arguably most effective in a lone striker role, he has the
physicality to engineer effective hold up play, but also the awareness to make
telling runs into the box and add to his goal scoring record.
His national team form which fixes him at the spearhead
of Uzbekistan's World Cup qualifying hopes has largely been courtesy of headed goals,
and while he’s demonstrated this in this year's ACL (his opener away in Riyadh v Hilal), he’s
clearly showing his maturity and all round game has come on. An instinctive
effort against Tractor showed a man in no need to think twice in close
quarters, while goals against Al-Hilal and Al-Jazira illustrated his desire to
work from the front to force defensive errors. It’s a shame his side couldn’t edge over
the line to demonstrate his talents on the tournament further, either way he could
be set for a well-deserved move abroad, dare I speculate; European-bound?
The Team
Generally the perception from within Iran, was that their
domestic stock was dropping. Yet another year we were without Tehran
giants Esteghlal, this year joined by city rivals Persepolis and last
year’s ACL quarter finalists Naft Tehran, hope was looking limp. Three months
down the line, the Persian Gulf Pro League have two sides in the knockout stages
as group winners, one being unbeaten Zob Ahan who unlike most have the pedigree
to excel in cup competitions.
Their recent league form has been average; finishing 4th last term and currently way off the chase for ACL qualification this season in 6th spot, however their cup form is sure to be admired, clinching the Hazfi Cup
trophy last term and set to play in their successive final at the end of the
month against the aforementioned Esteghlal. Their ability to punch above their weight in one off ties along with
having one of the sternest defences in Western Asia, they were never going to be
push overs however they went on to surprise everyone with their attacking
capabilities also, putting 6 unanswered goals past last season's Saudi champions Al-Nassr in the
final two gameweeks.
Their success has been generated by a young hungry squad,
which may account for their less than perfect league form which stretches over
a longer time period, however in the short bursts which the cup competitions
have brought them they’ve looked devastating. Amongst the talents striker Kaveh
Rezaei stands out as the one to watch, the 24 year old only scored two over the
group stage, but remained a constant thorn in defences sides’ defending from the
front and leaving little time for the opposition to build attacks. As they head
through to face Al Ain in the knockout stages, a side who love to dominate
possession, it’ll be fascinating to see how Zob Ahan react. Will they retreat
into their shell against the likes of Omar Abdulrahman or finish what they’ve
started and continue to make a name for themselves across the continent?
The Talking Point
The winter break in Asia brought an unusual amount of
interest from outside the region's football on the perceived sudden ramp up in
spending from China, in reality its been a steady increase over years. In any
case the ACL took centre stage to see if the likes of Jiangsu Suning and
Guangzhou Evergrande who splashed out on the two biggest purchases of the
window in Alex Texieria and Jackson Martinez could live up to the billing on
the continent. In the end both failed at the first hurdle, leaving many from outside
the region questioning the clubs and players individually but much of the
attention should instead be directed at the level playing field within Asia.
As detailed above, the sides to progress through the
group stage covered the continent equally, bursting some people’s balloons who assumed
the Chinese Super League would step up their charge and dominate Asia immediatly. Shandong
Luneng and Shanghai SIPG did indeed progress, the latter in dominant fashion,
leading to questions why their star man Elkesson was ever let to leave
Guangzhou at the turn of the year. But the title is far from a given, with
credible charges from free-scoring Seoul, experienced Jeonbuk and outsiders
Melbourne Victory, it makes for interesting viewing when the knockouts return later this month.
As for the Chinese sides to miss out, neither have been
plundered into crisis just yet, as they currently stand well clear in the top
two of the CSL. In truth while an exit of the reigning champions is surprising,
match-for-match Guangzhou were far from disappointing, in fact they finished in
great style beating Pohang Steelers and Sydney FC in the last two matches
without conceding a goal. For Jiangsu, much of the same comment; dropped points
away in Vietnam against Binh Dong stands out, but Champions League debut nerves
had much to play in that one. The new signings have varied, Alex Texieria has
produced some wonderful football, while Jackson Martinez despite failing to
register in the ACL mainly due to injury has already notched a few in the
league. The increase in spending in China was never seen as a short term win,
but a long term legacy plan, that we’ll truly assess over the next 5-10 years.
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