We kick-off with football and qualification for the AFC Champions League. Tianjin Quanjian, who two years ago were playing in the second-tier of Chinese football, were looking to earn a spot in the continental tournament for the first-time ever. Anthony Modeste, and company would have their hands full with visiting Filipino champs Ceres Negros, who caused a massive upset earlier in the playoff round when they beat three-time Australian League champs, the Brisbane Roar.   

Modeste joined Tianjin for a reported fee of 44.3 million US Dollars from Bundesliga side Cologne. Former Fiorentina coach Paulo Sousa replaced World Cup winner Fabio Cannavaro, when the Italian joined Guangzhou Evergrande in November. Tianjin have the lions' share of play in the opening period. In the 6th minute, Modeste has a chance off a through ball, but is denied by goalkeeper Antonio Santana. The Filipino champs have an attempt on goal a few minutes later -- but Stephan Markus Schrock's shot is turned aside by Tianjin goalkeeper Zhang Lu. The hosts make a breakthrough in the 18th minute, as Modeste meets this Wang Yongpo corner and puts his side in front 1-nil.  

After the restart, Alexandre Pato provides Modeste with the perfect ball, as the Frenchman gambols past the visiting defence and beats the goalkeeper with a curling effort from the edge of the box to double the lead. 2-nil is how it ends. Slick pass leads to the goal, as Tianjin move into the group stage of the event for the first time ever.  

Shanghai-based SIPG facing Chiangrai United, of Thailand in another qualifying match-up. Vitor Pereira now in charge of the CSL club after the departure of Andre Villas-Boas. The visitors, nicknamed the Beetles, bug the SIPG defence, with Atit Daosawang stealing the ball, but fails to beat keeper Yan Junling, who makes a sliding tackle to keep the game scoreless in the first half.  

Second half now, and SIPG with a corner, and crawling all around the Chiangrai area. Hulk's corner finds Yu Hai, that effort is saved by Chatchai Bootprom, and Shi Ke's follow-up attempt only for Yu Hai to head home the rebound from close-range. That is the only goal of the game, as last year's continental semi-finalists earn a spot into the continental tournament.