Chapter 18: The First Intimate Encounter with the Knockout Tournament

The round of sixteen in the 2015 AFC Champions League had no draws; instead, teams faced each other according to their group standings, with the draw only taking place in the quarterfinals—quite different from the Champions League in Europe.

Thus, Guangzhou Evergrande, having topped Group H, were set to face Seongnam FC, the runner-up from Group F, in the round of sixteen.

Seongnam FC was far from an ideal opponent.

This marked Evergrande’s fourth journey in the Champions League, but their away record against Korean clubs had always been lackluster.

In 2012, during their debut in the tournament, Evergrande’s attacking trio—Cleo, Muriqui, and Conca—propelled them to a stunning 5–1 victory over Jeonbuk Hyundai. Yet, since then, Evergrande had never managed to defeat a Korean side on the road again.

In 2013, they drew 1–1 at Jeonbuk, and the first leg of the final against Seoul ended in a 2–2 draw away from home.

In 2014, Evergrande lost 0–1 at Jeonbuk; this season, they drew 0–0 away to Seoul.

On May 20th, the first leg between Evergrande and Seongnam FC in the round of sixteen commenced as scheduled.

Elkeson had left the hospital and was undergoing rehabilitation at the club. He was training under the guidance of the medical staff and a dedicated coach, but he would need more time before returning to the pitch. Cannavaro could only field a forward line consisting of Goulart, Gao Lin, and Dai Zhiwei.

Guangzhou Evergrande line-up:
Goalkeeper: Zeng Cheng
Defenders: Zhang Linpeng, Feng Xiaoting, Mei Fang, Li Xuepeng
Midfielders: Zheng Zhi, Huang Bowen, Zhao Xuyang
Forwards: Goulart, Gao Lin, Dai Zhiwei

Seongnam FC line-up:
Goalkeeper: Park Junhyuk
Defenders: Gwak Hae-seong, Lim Chai-min, Park Tae-min, Kim Min-hyuk
Midfielders: Kim Chul-ho, Kim Do-hyeon, Jorginho, Jung Seon-ho, Nam Jun-jae
Forward: Bueno

Standing in the players’ tunnel, Dai Zhiwei was brimming with excitement, for this was his first appearance in a knockout match since joining Evergrande—he hadn’t featured in the FA Cup tie against Xinjiang.

Compared to the Super League and the Champions League group stage, the two-legged knockout format felt far more novel and thrilling to Dai Zhiwei.

“Heh, your first time? It’s nothing special, relax a little, Zhiwei. You’re a player of tremendous talent, don’t let nerves show. You’re much luckier than I ever was when I started my professional career—I never had opportunities like yours.”

Seeing Dai Zhiwei’s excited expression, Zheng Zhi, the team captain, mistook his exhilaration for nervousness and quickly offered words of comfort.

Dai Zhiwei smiled at Zheng Zhi’s remarks.

Indeed, compared to Zheng Zhi, he was exceedingly fortunate.

“It’s time!”

Zheng Zhi patted Dai Zhiwei’s shoulder, then strode confidently onto the field.

With a sharp blast of the referee’s whistle, the first leg between Evergrande and Seongnam FC began amidst the anticipation of both sets of supporters.

In the third minute, Goulart unleashed a long-range shot that went wide, the Brazilian playmaker seemingly testing his footing with that attempt.

For the next ten minutes, both sides were locked in a tense stalemate. Evergrande pressed for a counterattack, but options seemed limited.

Yet, the opening goal belonged to the hosts, Seongnam FC.

In the 23rd minute, Seongnam struck. Jorginho was the hero. A long ball from the back sent the ball into the penalty area; Nam Jun-jae headed it on, Bueno intentionally shielded the ball, Kim Do-hyeon played it across the box, and from the right, Jorginho calmly slotted the ball through Zeng Cheng’s legs—1–0.

Cannavaro’s face was grim, and the assistant coach on the bench gestured in bewilderment at the conceded goal.

In a two-legged knockout tie, every goal carries enormous weight.

After Seongnam’s opener, Evergrande ramped up their pressing in midfield and attack.

In midfield, Zheng Zhi and Zhao Xuyang combined to snatch the ball from Seongnam FC’s attack. Zheng Zhi, surveying the field, threaded a direct pass to the left, finding Dai Zhiwei’s feet.

As Dai Zhiwei controlled Zheng Zhi’s pass, Seongnam defender Gwak Hae-seong appeared before him, eyes locked onto Dai Zhiwei’s feet, ready to defend.

With the media’s constant attention, Dai Zhiwei was riding a wave of acclaim. Even though Seongnam FC hailed from South Korea, they were well aware of this Chinese Super League prodigy—considered the most dangerous player in Evergrande’s attack, alongside Goulart, and not to be underestimated.

Gwak Hae-seong had detailed information on Dai Zhiwei and understood his abilities clearly; he had no intention of taking him lightly.

Dai Zhiwei lifted his right leg, preparing a feint to change direction, but Gwak Hae-seong remained unmoved, unfazed by the trick.

Noting Gwak Hae-seong’s composed demeanor, Dai Zhiwei realized that his opponent, though young, possessed a wealth of experience and would not fall for such simple deception.

With this in mind, Dai Zhiwei decided to commit to the act, again lifting his right foot as if to break through. Yet Gwak Hae-seong still didn’t budge, his eyes glued to Dai Zhiwei’s feet.

This time, however, Gwak Hae-seong miscalculated. Dai Zhiwei, anticipating that Gwak Hae-seong would not easily stretch for the ball, kicked it behind him with his right foot and raced after it.

Here, it was all about reaction, agility, and speed.

Dai Zhiwei had the confidence that, over the first ten meters, he could match anyone—even professional sprinters.

Gwak Hae-seong was taken aback; such acceleration and burst had only been witnessed in non-Asian foreign imports.

He quickly adjusted, turning and chasing the ball, all the while keeping an eye on Dai Zhiwei, positioning his body to block Dai Zhiwei’s path and prevent him from accelerating further.

Ordinarily, Gwak Hae-seong’s approach would have been correct, but he forgot that Dai Zhiwei was no ordinary player.

With his extraordinary explosive power, Dai Zhiwei shrugged off Gwak Hae-seong’s tugging, forced his way past, and caught up with the ball.

Even as Gwak Hae-seong attempted to impede Dai Zhiwei’s progress with body contact and subtle hands, hoping to slow him down, his efforts were in vain.

Dai Zhiwei’s physique was packed with explosive strength, and Gwak Hae-seong’s attempts to jostle him nearly resulted in Gwak Hae-seong being knocked to the ground.

Gwak Hae-seong’s furtive handwork had no effect on Dai Zhiwei; in fact, Dai Zhiwei retaliated by tugging Gwak Hae-seong’s jersey, disrupting his momentum and causing him to falter.

Though Gwak Hae-seong quickly recovered and chased after Dai Zhiwei, Dai Zhiwei’s pace was beyond reach, and Gwak Hae-seong could only watch helplessly as the distance between them grew.

Having bypassed Gwak Hae-seong, Dai Zhiwei suddenly found himself in a wide-open expanse, no Seongnam FC players in sight.

Seizing the opportunity, Dai Zhiwei sprinted forward with the ball at breakneck speed.

His dribbling speed rated at 86—among Asian players, few could rival him, surpassing even many players’ sprinting rates without the ball.

This produced a spectacular scene at Seongnam’s home, Tancheon Sports Complex: Dai Zhiwei charging through Seongnam’s half, his lightning pace propelling him toward the penalty area. Evergrande fans in Korea rose to their feet, anticipation mounting for a goal.

As Dai Zhiwei neared the box, Seongnam’s center-back Park Tae-min rushed to intercept him.

“We can’t let him go any further, or the goal is in danger,” Park Tae-min thought, quickly moving to block Dai Zhiwei’s path, wary and vigilant.

Though Park Tae-min stood between Dai Zhiwei and the goal, Dai Zhiwei showed no sign of slowing, barreling forward with the ball toward his opponent.

Park Tae-min watched Dai Zhiwei’s feet intently, ready to dispossess him—but he dared not lunge recklessly, for Dai Zhiwei was now inside the penalty area, and a mistake could mean conceding a penalty.

So, Park Tae-min remained composed, keeping his eyes on the ball, poised to intercept at any moment.

A Chinese striker?

Park Tae-min was not particularly concerned.

The gap between them diminished; all Park Tae-min needed was to stretch out a foot to disrupt Dai Zhiwei’s control.

Dai Zhiwei carved out a bit of space to shoot—it was small, yet Park Tae-min knew he couldn’t hesitate any longer. Even if Dai Zhiwei couldn’t strike with full power from that angle, the proximity to goal made any shot dangerous.

Park Tae-min jabbed with his right foot to poke the ball away, but suddenly found the ball gone from Dai Zhiwei’s feet.

He was stunned—the ball that had been at Dai Zhiwei’s feet had vanished without warning.

“Goaaaaaaaaaaal! It’s in!”

By the time Park Tae-min realized what had happened, Huang Bowen was already celebrating!

Dai Zhiwei, after drawing the entire Seongnam defense, had deftly tapped the ball back with his left foot, sending it diagonally behind him.

Huang Bowen, arriving late, met the pass and drove it low past the keeper, scoring.

Seeing Park Tae-min’s astonished face, Dai Zhiwei smiled easily.

At present, across Asia, aside from a handful of non-Asian imports, there truly was no one who could shut down Dai Zhiwei one-on-one.