Hao Haidong vs Zheng Zhi
China against China. The almanac states its case, the crowd votes, you decide.
Hao Haidong
China · 1997–2004 · CM
- Almanac rating
- 83
- Rank in China
- #4 of 33
- Caps
- 106 · 41 goals
- Clubs
- Bayi Football Team, Dalian Shide, Sheffield United
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.
Zheng Zhi
China · 2004–13 · CB
- Almanac rating
- 84
- Rank in China
- #2 of 33
- Caps
- 76 · 15 goals
- Clubs
- Shenzhen, Shandong Taishan, Guangzhou
Tianhe Stadium, 9 November 2013: 1-1 with FC Seoul, 3-3 on aggregate, away goals, and Zheng Zhi lifting the first AFC Champions League a Chinese club had ever won. Asian Footballer of the Year that same season, ten league titles across three clubs, 108 caps for China, a place in the 2004 Asian Cup Team of the Tournament, and two seasons at Charlton in between. Career record: 76 caps and 15 goals for China; club career at Shenzhen, Shandong Taishan, Guangzhou.
The verdict
The almanac puts Zheng Zhi ahead by 1 rating point, 84 against 83.
Fans have not settled this one yet. Cast the first vote in the duels.