Chinese Super League club Shanghai SIPG FC is set to meet Thai Premier League side Sukhothai FC in a play-off round match in the 2017 AFC Champions League on Tuesday at the Shanghai Stadium in China.

The Red Eagles qualified for Asia's premier club continental competitions after finishing third in the China top-flight last season behind CSL champions Guangzhou Evergrande and runners-up Jiangsu Suning.

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Meanwhile, Sukhothai placed seventh in the Thai first division football league last season. The team qualified after finishing as co-winners with Chainat Hornbill, Chonburi, and Ratchaburi Mitr Phol in the 2016 Thai FA Cup. A draw was done to determine who among the four clubs will represent the country in this year's Champions League and Sukhothai won the draw.

SIPG manager Andre Villas-Boas, who replaced Swedish boss Sven-Göran Eriksson in November last year, said that the team is not taking the Thai club lightly and that they will be at their best although they are playing at home against an unheralded squad.

"It will be a one-match elimination tomorrow. We have the advantage of playing at home," Villas-Boas told reporters at a pre-match press conference on Monday. "We have to treat it very seriously from the first minute. We can't allow things like red cards."

Villas-Boas also confirmed the signing of Portuguese defender Ricardo Carvalho, making him the fifth import in the Red Eagles' roster with Brazilians Hulk, Elkeson, and Oscar and Uzbekistan's Odil Ahmedov, according to ESPN.

A victory will propel SIPG to the tournament's group stage where they will join FC Seoul, Urawa Red Diamonds, and Western Sydney Wanderers in Group F. Guangzhou Evergrande is in Group G while Jiang Suning is included in Group H.

Shanghai Shenhua, the fourth-place finisher in last season's CSL, will face the Brisbane Roar on Wednesday. The winner will also advance to the group stage, joining Kashima Antlers, Muangthong United, and the winner of the other play-off round match between Ulsan Hyundai and Kitchee.

TagsChinese Super League news, Chinese Super League News 2017, Chinese Super League, AFC Champions League, 2017 AFC Champions League, Shanghai SIPG FC, Sukhothai FC