Shanghai Shenhua Football Club has been drawn into Group G for the 2024-25 AFC Champions League 2 (ACL2), where they will face Japanese J3 League side FC Machida Zelvia, Cambodian club Chakrung, and Singaporean outfit Tampines Rovers. The Red Devils will kick off their campaign with an away fixture against FC Machida Zelvia on October 29, 2024, followed by a home match on November 5, 2024.
Differences Between ACL Elite and ACL2
This season's AFC Champions League features a new two-tiered format. The elite competition has expanded from 24 to 32 teams, divided into East and West Asia zones with 16 teams each. The ACL2 consists of 32 teams across 8 groups, with each group playing home-and-away round-robin matches.
Shanghai Shenhua's Opponent: FC Machida Zelvia
FC Machida Zelvia is a professional football club based in Machida, Tokyo, currently competing in the Japanese J3 League. The team finished third in the 2023 J3 League season. In the ACL2, FC Machida Zelvia will be a formidable opponent for Shanghai Shenhua.
New Format of AFC Champions League
The 2024-25 AFC Champions League introduces a new format for the elite competition. Each team will play 4 home and 4 away matches against 8 different opponents. Teams from the same country will not face each other in the group stage. The top 8 teams from each zone will advance to the knockout stage. The ACL2 maintains the traditional group stage format with home-and-away matches.
Shanghai Shenhua's Current Form
Shanghai Shenhua has been performing steadily in the Chinese Super League. Striker Rafael Ratão has been in fine form this season, scoring 14 goals in 24 appearances. In the ACL2, Shanghai Shenhua will face challenges from teams across Japan, Cambodia, and Singapore.
According to Kyodo News China, the draw for the AFC Champions League Elite group stage took place on August 18, 2024, in Kuala Lumpur. Japanese J1 League teams Kashima Antlers, Sanfrecce Hiroshima, Kawasaki Frontale, Kyoto Sanga, and Gamba Osaka will participate, along with Chinese Super League sides Shanghai Port and Beijing Guoan. J1 teams will not face Chinese Super League teams in the elite group stage.
AFC Champions League Schedule
The elite group stage of the AFC Champions League will commence on September 14, 2024, while the ACL2 group stage will begin on October 29, 2024. Shanghai Shenhua will face FC Machida Zelvia away on October 29 and at home on November 5. Fans can check our fixtures page for more detailed schedule information.
Shanghai Shenhua's ACL Journey
Shanghai Shenhua has extensive experience in the AFC Champions League, having participated in the competition multiple times. In this edition of the ACL2, Shanghai Shenhua will face tough opponents from different countries. The team will need to perform at their best to advance from the group stage. Fans can visit our squad page for the latest team information.
Significance of the AFC Champions League
The AFC Champions League is the premier club competition in Asia. For Shanghai Shenhua, participating in the ACL is not only an opportunity to improve but also a platform to showcase their talent. In this ACL2, Shanghai Shenhua will compete against teams from different countries, gaining valuable international experience.
Shanghai Shenhua's Next Steps
In the ACL2, Shanghai Shenhua will face challenges from teams in Japan, Cambodia, and Singapore. The team needs to be well-prepared to achieve good results in the group stage. Fans can check our standings page for the latest ranking information.
Fan Support for Shanghai Shenhua
Shanghai Shenhua's fans have always been a strong support for the team. In the ACL2, Shanghai Shenhua will rely on fan support to perform well in home matches. Fans can visit our stats page for the latest team statistics.
Shanghai Shenhua's Future Prospects
In the ACL2, Shanghai Shenhua will face strong opponents from different countries. The team needs to perform at their best to advance from the group stage. Fans can check our injuries page for the latest injury updates.
Shanghai Shenhua's ACL Path
Shanghai Shenhua has rich experience in the AFC Champions League, having participated in the competition multiple times. In this edition of the ACL2, Shanghai Shenhua will face tough opponents from different countries. The team needs to perform at their best to advance from the group stage.
