Five Chinese Super League players make it into World Cup knockout

Five of the nine players from the Chinese Super League competing at the World Cup in Russia have made it to the knockout round of the tournament, with the group matches coming to a close. This is the first time that players from the Chinese Super League have made it into the knockout round of the World Cup.

Chinese Super League player Yannick Ferreira-Carrasco (middle) of the Belgian national team in the group match against the Tunisian national team on June 23, 2018. [Photo: Xinhua]

Most of the Chinese Super League players at this year's World Cup have become leading players of their national teams.

For example, John Obi Mikel, a Nigerian midfielder for Tianjin TEDA, is captain of Nigeria's national team.

Jose Fonte, who joined Dalian Yifang in February after a decade in the English Premier League's Crystal Palace, Southampton, and West Ham United. Fonte is a main force in the rear defense in Portugal's league.

Kim Younggwon, a winner of two Asian Champions League titles with Guangzhou Evergrande, played his first World Cup with South Korea after leading his country to a bronze medal at the 2012 London Olympics. He has competed in all three group matches and scored a goal in the match against Germany.