Jia Xiuquan vs Zheng Zhi
China against China. The almanac states its case, the crowd votes, you decide.
Jia Xiuquan
China · 1981–87 · CB
- Almanac rating
- 80
- Rank in China
- #9 of 33
- Caps
- 55 · 9 goals
- Clubs
- Bayi Football Team, FK Partizan, Gamba Osaka
The 1984 Asian Cup ended with China beaten 2-0 by Saudi Arabia in the final and their centre-back walking off as both joint top scorer, on three goals, and most valuable player of the tournament. Two Chinese league titles with Bayi in 1981 and 1986, China's Golden Ball in 1983, 1984 and 1986, 55 caps with the armband from 1987, and firsts for a Chinese player in both the UEFA Cup and the J.League. Career record: 55 caps and 9 goals for China; club career at Bayi Football Team, FK Partizan, Gamba Osaka.
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 4 rating points, 84 against 80.
Fans have not settled this one yet. Cast the first vote in the duels.