In the AFC Champions League play-offs, perhaps not many people could have predicted that the Chinese Super League leaders would be eliminated on their home turf by a second-rate Thai Super League team.
It's a blessing in disguise! Even if Shanghai Seaport makes it to the AFC Championship, how far can they go? At least the title is out of reach. After a one-game exit in the AFC Champions League play-offs, Shanghai Seaports can focus on the Chinese Super League and secure the trophy.
The upcoming 24th round of the Chinese Super League, Shanghai Seaport's away match against Henan should be a good opportunity to grab points. Shandong Taishan, who are away to Shenzhen, are also very confident of getting 3 points.
Shanghai Seaport Henan vs.
Match time: August 25, 19:35
In the pre-match Chinese Super League standings, Shanghai Seaport is leading with 53 points from 23 matches, 16 wins, 5 draws and 2 losses, a huge lead of 12 points more than Shandong's second Taishan and Shanghai's third Shenhua. With 7 rounds left in the league, the hope of winning the title is obviously high.
Henan is in 12th place with 25 points from 23 matches, 6 wins, 7 draws and 10 losses, 7 points more than Dalianjin in the relegation zone. This is not a good result, but in the current situation, it can only be based on relegation. It's good not to worry about relegation.
Henan's record in the last 10 matches is 3 wins, 2 draws and 5 losses, with 2 consecutive wins in the last 2 rounds of the Chinese Super League.
In the past 10 matches, Shanghai Seaport's record is 6 wins, 2 draws and 2 losses, with 1 draw and 2 losses in the last 3 matches in the Chinese Super League and AFC Champions League double-header.
Shanghai Seaport's 9 wins and 1 loss are the upper hand in the last 10 meetings between the two sides.
Former Henan Jianye head coach Javier, Shanghai Seaport head coach, is a man who has been questioned lately for his recent poor results, especially his failure to reach the AFC Champions League.
The Champions League play-offs are a total loss of face.
