AFC Women's Champions League
After a difficult group stage where they advanced only as one of the two best third-placed teams, Wuhan Jiangda have improved by leaps and bounds since.
The-AFC.com takes a look back at their incredible journey to the final.
Group Stage
Wuhan Jiangda’s Group A campaign began on a sour note despite Kabange Mupopo’s fourth minute opener for them with Abu Dhabi producing a late comeback to secure the win through a late brace from Naeema Ibrahim.
Improvements were needed in the second game and Wuhan Jiangda responded in stunning fashion by registering a 7-0 success over Malaysia’s Sabah FA with goals from Mupopo, Deng Mengye (3), Song Duan, Saratou Traore and Yao Wei to put them back into contention.
#AWCL | Wuhan Jiangda Women’s FC (CHN) 1 - 2 Abu Dhabi Country Club (UAE)
Needing a win in their final game against Red Angels to secure automatic qualification to the knockout stage, Wuhan Jiangda were given a reality check with the Korea Republic side scoring once in each half to top the group.
Despite only finishing third, Wuhan Jiangda earned a reprieve as their tally of three points was sufficient to qualify as one of the two best third place finishers.
Quarter-final
The odds were heavily stacked against Wuhan Jiangda in the quarter-finals after they were drawn to face Japan’s Urawa Red Diamonds Ladies, who lifted the AFC Women’s Club Championship™ 2023.
Their task was made harder with it being an away match in Kumagaya as Chang Weiwei’s charges were put through a stern test.
#AWCL | Quarter-final - Urawa Red Diamonds Ladies (JPN) 0 (5) - (6) 0 Wuhan Jiangda Women’s FC (CHN)
Urawa dominated with almost 70 percent ball possession and 21 attempts but Wuhan Jiangda’s defence held firm to take the match to penalties.
Chang’s decision to replace his goalkeeper just before the end of extra time proved to be a masterstroke as Chen Chen produced saves to deny Miki Ito and Yu Endo with Wuhan Jiangda emerging 6-5 winners in the shootout.
Semi-final
Winning the bid to host the Finals, Wuhan Jiangda rose to the occasion in front of their own fans, producing a complete performance against Vietnam’s Ho Chi Minh City Women’s FC.
The home side were in total control, with the mercurial Wang Shuang striking the opener with a stunning effort as Ho Chi Minh City custodian Quach Thu Em was kept busy throughout the first half.
#AWCL | Semi-final - Wuhan Jiangda Women’s FC (CHN) 2 - 0 Ho Chi Minh City Women’s FC (VIE)
While the Vietnamese side offered more resistance in the second half, Wuhan Jiangda remained dominant with Quach repeatedly being called into action.
However, Quach could do nothing to prevent Song Duan from doubling the score with a spectacular swerving long range strike to confirm Wuhan Jiangda’s place in the final.
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