Equality Cup Spotlight: Santos v Shanghai Shenhua
Equality Cup Invitational Soccer Tournament: Santos vs Shanghai Shenhua, kicks off on February 4
Shanghai Shenhua made their second appearance in the Equalizer Cup, facing a challenge from the traditional giants. In the first match, veteran Yu Hanchao scored a brace to beat Qatari powerhouse Duhail 1:0.
Santos, Brazil, is steeped in history, with Ballon d'Or winner Pele having played here and now Brazilian headliner Neymar having started his career here.
Shanghai Shenhua played in a 352 formation, with Kim Soon-Kai and Andre teaming up up front, with Malele, Amadou, Teixeira, Xu Hao Yang and Yu Hanchao in midfield, Jin Yangyang, Manafa and Wen Jiabao in the backline, and Ma Zhen in goal. The starting lineup is valued at a total of 6.975 million euros.
For Santos, Carlos and Pedrijo played as a double striker, with Thiago, Quintino, Enzo and Wesley in midfield, Ivoni, Vinicius, Kaddu and Derek in the backline, and Paulo in goal. Santos responded with a 442 formation, with the starting lineup valued at around 900,000 euros.
Apparently, Santos is fielding a second team squad this time around, with the relegation of the Barclays Premier League to the Barclays B and the loss of key players.
At the beginning of the game, Shanghai Shenhua showed the advantage of "playing big against small".
Only nine minutes into the game, Xu Haoyang shot from outside the penalty area, off the line but quite threatening.
In the 15th minute, Manafa broke into the box and Teixeira shot but missed.
In the 18th minute, Teixeira shot from a small angle and was parried by the goalkeeper.
Shanghai Shenhua took a 1:0 lead in the 27th minute when Teixeira added a shot after being blocked in the penalty area.
In 37 minutes, Shanghai Shenhua took a free kick in front of the field, Yu Hanchao punished the cross, and Malelai headed home to extend the advantage 2:0.
In the 45th minute, Santos junior Patati fired a shot from long range to make the score 1-2.
Santos had a great chance in the 75th minute but Vinicius missed the chance in front of goal.
Shanghai Shenhua counterattacked in the 84th minute with a wonderful assist from new recruit Xie Pengfei, and Luis calmly pushed the ball to score, 3:1.
In the 88th minute, Dai Weijun blasted a shot from inside the box to give Shanghai Shenhua a 4-1 lead.
In the end, Shanghai Shenhua beat Santos 4:1. Although the opponents were only substitutes or marginal players, the victory was still a golden one for Shanghai Shenhua. After the managerial change, Shanghai Shenhua will definitely aim for the new season's Chinese Super League title.
