The end of the harbor will usher in a summit match of the FA Cup final, and the team has long been filled with a tense atmosphere of preparation within the team. What is revealed in these words is undoubtedly the infinite longing for the F.A.C. Cup trophy, which seems to be more precious than any other honor. For this trophy, Shanghai Seaport has strategically given up the prospect of the AFC Champions League, and Muscat has not only paid lip service to the idea, but has been unambiguous in his actions as well. The layout of tonight's game may reveal his true intentions for us.
Facing Kawasaki Strikers, Muscat made a surprising choice tonight: not only did he make homegrown headliner Wu Lei invisible, but he also rested Brazilian duo Léo Chitardini and Mateus Joussa. Even semi-starters like Fu Huan and Li Ang were rotated, while fringe players like Yang Shiyuan and Bao Shimeng even made their debuts. All of this seems to indicate that Muscat has strategically put the AFC Champions League behind him from the very beginning of the tournament. He wouldn't have been so hasty in arranging his lineup if he didn't want to focus all his energy on the more promising AFC Cup.
Shanghai Seaport's urgency has always been their tag. The team seems to lack a real soul and is not willing to put in the effort for battles that see no hope. In their eyes, a real championship trophy is more valuable than any heroic battle. Although Shanghai Harbour have won the trophy three times in the Chinese Super League, this attitude has made it difficult for people to feel good about them.
