Fate always seems to play jokes. Just as team captain Oscar is convalescing from an injury until November, Brazilian striker Lopez has been seriously injured in training, and his season is over. Shanghai seaport official yesterday issued a notice, confirming that Lopez right knee anterior cruciate ligament tear, treatment program has been determined. The player himself agreed to go to Brazil for surgery in the near future, and the club will continue to pay attention to its recovery status.
The absence of Oscar and Lopez has allowed Mooy to represent Australia in the Asian 12 of the World Cup qualifiers. Currently, only Croatian center back Mystorovic, who is recovering from a serious knee injury, and summer addition Paulinho are left for the Harbour to play. And the AFC Cup, a battleground coming up in October, seems destined to test the Harbour's depth.
The schedule for the FA Cup has been finalized: first round October 13-15, second round October 18-20, quarter-final first round October 23-25, second round October 28-30, semi-final first round November 4, second round November 8. The draw will be held on September 29, but the venue for the tournament has not yet been finalized.
With only two foreigners available until at least the semi-finals, the outlook is uncertain even if Oscar makes a comeback. The absence of international goalkeeper Yan Junling and defenders Stanley Wang and Li Ang will undoubtedly cast a shadow over Harbour's trip to the AFC Cup.
