Two months on from 7-0 humbling, will China fare any better in rematch with Japan?
China will be looking to show how far they've come from the last time they met Japan and suffered a 7-0 humbling.
Chinese Super League slowly recovering from excess of the past
Shanghai Port have been crowned Chinese Super League champions, but the competition is a far cry from the big-spending behemoth it was a decade ago.
After years in the doldrums, Chinese football shows hint of life in ACL Elite
Chinese football looked to have hit an all-time low but a glimmer of hope was offered in Tuesday's ACL Elite action.
The new AFC Champions League format explained
AFC club competitions will undergo a revamp in the 2024-25 season -- so what exactly can we expect?
China FA bans 43 after corruption investigation
China's Football Association has banned 43 people for life over allegations of match-fixing and other forms of corruption in the latest effort to weed out graft in the country's notoriously underperforming team sport.
The Postecoglou effect: AFC's next wave of elite soccer managers
ESPN takes a look at seven managers that have made a name for themselves in the AFC, what makes them so great, and where they could go next.
Former Man Utd midfielder Fellaini retires aged 36
Fellaini, who recently finished a four-year stint at Shandong Taishan, said on Instagram that he is bringing his 18-year playing career to an end.
Which of Asian Cup's eliminated teams are heading home with pride and which were disappointments?
Of the eight teams heading home after the group stage of the 2023 AFC Asian Cup, who can be proud of their efforts? And who truly disappointed?
Night of sheer Asian Cup drama sees debutants Tajikistan advance while China hit rock bottom
The Group A action at the 2023 AFC Asian Cup came to a close in dramatic fashion -- as debutants Tajikistan pipped fallen giants China to a last-16 berth.
Who's on course and who's in trouble at halfway mark of the ACL group stage?
With the 2023-24 AFC Champions League group stage at its halfway mark, who's on course for the last 16? And who's in danger of missing out?
What we learned as 2023-24 AFC Champions League got underway
From mixed results for Saudi Arabia's giants to slow starts by Southeast Asia's hopefuls, here's what we learned from the opening action of the 2023-24 AFC Champions League.
Ex-Asian champs Guangzhou relegated from CSL
Two-time Asian champions Guangzhou FC were relegated from the Chinese Super League on Tuesday.
Mooy reunites with Postecoglou at Celtic
Celtic have completed the signing of Australia midfielder Aaron Mooy, the Scottish Premiership champions said on Tuesday.
JDT stay top with Frontale draw; Lion City Sailors denied by Shandong
Johor Darul Ta'zim maintained their unbeaten start to AFC Champions League 2022 with a creditable 0-0 draw against Kawasaki Frontale on Thursday.
Mousa Dembele to retire at end of season
Former Belgium and Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Mousa Dembele will retire from playing at the end of his contract with Guangzhou City.
Singapore champions Lion City Sailors reinforce ahead of ACL debut with Kim Shin-wook signing
Lion City Sailors have pulled off a coup ahead of their maiden AFC Champions League campaign with the signing of South Korean Kim Shin-wook.
China's Hebei FC on brink of following ex-champions Jiangsu's demise
Hebei FC are on the brink of becoming the second Chinese Super League club to shut their doors this year after ceasing operations on Tuesday.
With China's purse strings tightened, are Qatar now Asia's biggest players?
Following Al Duhail's signing of Toby Alderweireld, Qatar could be positioned to be Asia's biggest transfer market players.
Paulinho signs for Al Ahli after leaving China
Former Brazil international Paulinho has joined Saudi Arabia's Al Ahli after parting ways with Chinese Super League giants Guangzhou.
Guangzhou, Beijing ACL thrashings amplify Chinese football's youth malaise
The woeful displays from Beijing Guoan and Guangzhou in AFC Champions League 2021 hint at bigger problems for Chinese football.
Kaya FC tops Shanghai Port to make ACL history
Kaya FC knocked off an inexperienced Shanghai Port side to advance to the AFC Champions League group stage for the first time in club history.
No Aussie teams, young Guangzhou and a Thai celeb: Is this the wackiest ACL season?
The 2021 AFC Champions League has been one of the most unrecognisable ever, but it could also turn out to be the strangest in tournament history.
Brazil star Paulinho leaves Guangzhou FC
Paulinho has left eight-times Chinese Super League winners Guangzhou FC after the ex-Barca midfielder's contract was terminated by mutual consent.
Can naturalised imports deliver China a World Cup appearance?
The number of naturalised players at China PR's disposal is increasing, but will they deliver a long-awaited second FIFA World Cup appearance?
Anderson Talisca departs Guangzhou for Al Nassr
Chinese Super League giants Guangzhou FC have confirmed the departure of Brazilian striker Anderson Talisca to Saudi Arabia's Al Nassr.
Chinese Super League Ladder
| TEAM | GP | W | D | L | GD | P |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shanghai Port | 30 | 25 | 3 | 2 | +66 | 78 |
| Shanghai Shenhua | 30 | 24 | 5 | 1 | +53 | 77 |
| Chengdu Rongcheng | 30 | 18 | 5 | 7 | +34 | 59 |
| Beijing Guoan | 30 | 16 | 8 | 6 | +30 | 56 |
| Shandong Taishan | 30 | 13 | 9 | 8 | +9 | 48 |
| Tianjin Jinmen Tiger | 30 | 12 | 6 | 12 | -3 | 42 |
| Zhejiang Professional FC | 30 | 11 | 5 | 14 | -5 | 38 |
| Henan Songshan Longmen | 30 | 9 | 9 | 12 | -5 | 36 |
| Changchun Yatai | 30 | 8 | 8 | 14 | -12 | 32 |
| Qingdao West Coast | 30 | 8 | 8 | 14 | -17 | 32 |
| Wuhan Three Towns | 30 | 8 | 7 | 15 | -13 | 31 |
| Qingdao Hainiu | 30 | 8 | 5 | 17 | -27 | 29 |
| Cangzhou Mighty Lions | 30 | 7 | 8 | 15 | -24 | 29 |
| Shenzhen Xinpengcheng | 30 | 7 | 8 | 15 | -26 | 29 |
| Meizhou Hakka | 30 | 6 | 9 | 15 | -26 | 27 |
| Nantong Zhiyun | 30 | 5 | 7 | 18 | -34 | 22 |