History made in Chengdu! 🎉 On a packed night at Phoenix Hill Stadium, Chengdu Rongcheng roared to a 3-0 victory over Bangkok United and punched their ticket to the AFC Champions League Elite for the first time ever. ⚽️
Back in March 2018, this ambitious club set a clear roadmap: reach the Chinese Super League (CSL) within three years and compete in Asia's top competitions. Fast forward to 2024, they nailed a third-place finish in the CSL and earned their shot at continental glory.
The match kicked off as a tactical chess game, with both sides locked in a scoreless first half. But the second half turned into a fireworks display:
- 68': Romulo swung in a corner, and Yang Mingyang soared to head home the opener. 🙌
- 71': De Erjiaduo sent a perfect pass, setting Brazilian striker Felipe up one-on-one. He slid the ball into the net to double the lead. 🎯
- 83': Felipe struck again! Another assist from Romulo, and despite two defenders on his back, the 33-year-old smashed in his second of the night. 💥
A record-breaking crowd of 41,713 fans witnessed the historic moment—the largest attendance ever at Phoenix Hill. Now, Chengdu Rongcheng is all set to challenge Asia's elite in the group stages. Stay tuned for the next chapter of this underdog story! 🌟
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
