China against China. The almanac states its case, the crowd votes, you decide.
China · 1997–2004 · CM
His first season at Dalian in 1997 ended with the league title and both the Golden Boot and the Golden Ball, and the nickname that stuck was the Chinese Alan Shearer. He remains China's record international scorer from 106 caps, with five league titles at Dalian, a title and a cup earlier at Bayi, three Jia-A top-scorer awards in 1997, 1998 and 2001, Footballer of the Year in 1998 and silver at the 2004 Asian Cup. Career record: 106 caps and 41 goals for China; club career at Bayi Football Team, Dalian Shide, Sheffield United.
China · 1996–2015 · RB
On 26 October 2002 at Birmingham, Sun rose to head Manchester City in front after 24 minutes, the first goal an East Asian player had scored in the Premier League. Four Chinese league titles with Dalian between 1996 and 2001, the 2001 FA Cup, 130 appearances for Manchester City, 80 caps, the 2002 World Cup and a runners-up medal at the 2004 Asian Cup preceded his induction into English football's Hall of Fame in 2015. Career record: 80 caps and 1 goals for China; club career at Dalian Shide, Manchester City, Guizhou Renhe.
The almanac puts Sun Jihai ahead by 1 rating point, 84 against 83.
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