 During the 2011 season, Guangzhou Evergrande further strengthened its squad with the purchase of Argentinean Dario Conca and Brazilian Cléo.Although the team was promoted to the Super League in the first year, they clinched the league title in late September 2011 although there were four games yet to play.In March 2012, Guangzhou played and won their first ever AFC Champions League match, thrashing Korean champions Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors 5–1.