Evergrande captain Zheng Zhi flies the flag on the mainland
Midfielder has built up an impressive résumé home and abroad and his first continental title would be icing on the cake
It's hardly a secret that Chinese football has had little to shout about throughout the last decade, but when the rare shafts of light have speared through the dark clouds, Zheng Zhi has invariably been at or near the centre of proceedings.
Guangzhou Evergrande's captain was just 24 years old when he featured for the national team in the final of the AFC Asian Cup, when China lost 3-1 to Japan in what was the last appearance by any team from the country in the deciding match of a continental championship.
While Chinese football has limped along since, Zheng has gone on to build a successful résumé at home and abroad, hoovering up silverware in an enviable career.
Winning is not just about me but about the team and football in China
League titles with Shenzhen Jianlibao and Shandong Luneng were followed by four seasons in Europe, signing for Charlton Athletic in England before spending a season at Celtic.
His return to China saw him join Guangzhou early in the club's rebuilding process and he has since been integral to the rise from the second division in 2010 and the three successive Chinese Super League titles.
But victory against FC Seoul would give Zheng, who has previously been nominated for the AFC Player of the Year Award, something he has never acquired - a continental title.
"It would mean a lot to me to win the game, although winning is not just about me but about the team and football in China," said the versatile 33-year-old.
"I have won awards in England and China, but this would be my first international award and it would mean a lot."