Is it a bird? It is a plane? No it’s Guangzhou Evergrande, Asia’s latest Super Power!

Guangzhou created headlines around the world last year when they made little known Argentine Dario Conca the third most expensive player in the world, signing him to a deal worth over $10m a season.

Suddenly their big spending was capturing headlines and the club, who only a few short years ago was relegated to the Chinese First Division as a result of the match fixing scandal, became the face of a new, ambitious Chinese Super League.

Taking all before them they dominated the CSL like never before, losing only twice when the title was already wrapped up, all the while keeping one eye on the prize they coveted most – the AFC Champions League.

Chinese clubs have historically struggled in the ACL and Guangzhou had set their sights firmly on being the first Chinese club to win the tournament and swing the balance of power in Asia firmly towards the Middle Kingdom.

Ambition is one thing, actually achieving success another, especially when there are so many variables in play. But if Guangzhou wanted to make a statement in their first ACL clash they could hardly have dreamt of a better debut.

Away to reigning runners up and K-League champions Jeonbuk Hyundai, Guangzhou dominated from the outset and spurred on by the backing of at least 2500 away fans the Cantonese side smashed Jeonbuk 5-1 in a scary display.

Their $10m man Dario Conca controlled things in midfield and bagged himself a brace and looked at home on the continental stage. Their Brazilian strike duo of Cleo (two) and Muriqui (one) scored the other three goals to round out the dominant display.

With the duo scoring 27 goals between them last season they will cause havoc for even the best defences later in the competition, especially with Conca supplying them with quality balls from midfield.

Just as impressive as their on-field display are their efforts off it. An average of 45,666 was the highest of any club across Asia last year. That support acts as a 12th man and, given the relatively low crowds in the ACL, will no doubt be a big boost to Guangzhou in their efforts to conquer the continent.

That support was once again out in force when 36,000 turned out for their opening match of the 2012 Chinese Super League season on the weekend when, yep you guessed it, they won (a 2-1 win over Shanghai Shenxin).

Whilst some will complain about Guangzhou “buying” success, and there is certainly an element of that, it is simply the way of modern football where a club with ambition invests and invests heavily to ensure success. And in the Evergrande Real Estate Group Guangzhou have owners who are determined to bring success, not only to the club but Chinese football in general.

Guangzhou’s next ACL game is a home clash against Thai side Buriram, and while the TPL champions upset J.League champions Kashiwa in their opening clash, Guangzhou are in a whole different ball park.

While there is still a long way to go, and they have only played one game, I can’t help but feel the ACL is already Guangzhou’s to lose.