In the fifth round of Group H of the AFC Champions League, which ended late on Nov. 29, Zhejiang beat Buriram United 3-2, retaining the possibility of advancing to the next round despite being at the bottom of the group for the time being. However, after the climax of the match, a sudden large-scale clash turned the original focus of attention to the chaotic scenes.
According to live video recordings, near the end line of the game, two Zhejiang players and a number of players from Buryingnam United broke out in a verbal argument, and then a Buryingnam United player took the lead in roughing up the crowd, instantly igniting the flames of the conflict. Players from both sides and members of the bench quickly joined the fray. In the process, Wurri South United's Azerbaijani foreign aid Sheyi Dayev used his arm to lock a Zhejiang player's throat, a move that exacerbated the severity of the conflict. The scene was out of control, and Sheidayev himself was mobbed. Eventually, security personnel intervened to calm the chaos. In the stands, fans chanted in unison, expressing their dissatisfaction with the visiting team's misbehavior.
Controversies are inevitable in soccer, but physical clashes of this magnitude are rare. It is expected that the clash will inevitably be penalized by the AFC. At the same time, this incident has also triggered a wide range of discussions. While delving into the causes and restoring the details of the incident, people can't help but think: why was there such a fierce scene? Has Chinese and Thai soccer stood on the same starting line?
As the level of soccer between China and Thailand grows closer, the rivalry grows fiercer and the antagonism intensifies. In the eyes of Thai fans, the antagonism they displayed when facing the Thai team was sharper than ever. They find it difficult to accept the fact that Thailand was defeated by China. This is a side effect of the decline of Chinese soccer, making it a rivalry that Thailand is eager to compete with. And now, the clash between Buriram United and Zhejiang proves once again that the rivalry between Chinese and Thai soccer has escalated and the two sides have become real rivals.
