In the 2016 campaign, Shanghai Seaport advanced to the final round of the AFC Champions League for the first time, and despite bringing in Ickerson from Guangzhou Evergrande and signing Hulk from Zenit, they bid farewell in the quarterfinals with an aggregate score of 0:5 against Jeonbuk Hyundai.
In 2017, Shanghai Seaport managed to beat city rivals Guangzhou Evergrande in the quarterfinals through a thrilling penalty shootout, only to fall to Urawa Red Diamonds in the semifinals, 1:2 on aggregate, and stop in the last eight. That year, the addition of Oscar took the team to the next level, and it was their best record in the AFC Champions League.
In the 2018 season, Shanghai Seaport failed to move on after losing 3:4 on aggregate to Kashima Antlers in the 1/8 final.
Entering 2019, facing Urawa Red Diamonds, Shanghai Seaport drew 3:3 on aggregate in two rounds, but said goodbye to the AFC Champions League due to fewer away goals.
In 2021, Shanghai Seaport failed to continue their journey after losing 0:1 at home to Filipino side Kaya in the AFC Champions League play-offs, playing with a full bench.
In the 2022-23 season, Shanghai Seaport opted to abandon the tournament and ended their AFC Champions League campaign at the bottom of the group.
In the 2023-24 season, Shanghai Seaport lost three consecutive home games to Thai Premier League side Pathum United, once again missing out on the AFC Champions League.
Although they have been the favorites to win the Chinese Super League and AFC Cup this season, it is still unknown how far Shanghai Seaport can go in the AFC Champions League stage.
The upcoming clash between Shanghai Harbour and Johor Bahru will be a key match in the first round of the AFC Elite League in the East Asia Division, which will be played on September 18 at 20:00hrs.
In the 2024-25 AFC Elite League, Shanghai Seaport will face eight opponents in order - Johor Bahru (home), Pohang Ironmen (away), Central Coast Mariners (home), Kawasaki Frontale (away), Ulsan Hyundai (away), Gwangju FC (home), Kobe Victory Ship (away) and Yokohama Mariners (home).
In these eight matches, Shanghai Harbour will face three Japanese teams, three Korean teams, one Australian super team and one Malaysian team. Both the Japanese and Korean teams are quite strong, and the Malaysian team is not easy to beat either.
Johor Bahru have dominated the Malaysian Premier League, winning the title for ten consecutive years and are known as the "Bayern Malay Premier League". This season, they lead the way with nine wins, eight draws and one loss, three points ahead of second-placed Selangor, and are on course to be crowned once again.
Johor Bahru, worth a total of 12.05 million euros, boasts a number of foreigners and top scorer, 33-year-old Brazilian striker Bergeson, a former player for Brazilian giants Gremio.
The two teams have no history of meeting records, Shanghai seaport in the strength of the lineup occupies the advantage, the home game, is expected to open the door with a small victory.
