Today's Focus: Shanghai Shenhua suffered a personnel crisis. Despite the recall of Shenhua players Wang Haijian, Xu Haoyang and Zhang Wei from the Asian Games selection team, the squad is still overstretched. Shenhua's goalkeeper Ma Zhen, midfielders Wu Xi and Dai Weijun, as well as defense pillars Jiang Shenglong and Zhu Chenjie have all been called up to the national team to prepare for Vietnam's clash with Uzbekistan. Meanwhile, the Chinese Olympic team also called up five Shenhua players, making Shenhua lose a total of 10 players on international days. According to the FA's compensation policy, Shenhua's five foreign aiders are all allowed to play. With such a shortage of players, head coach Wu Jingui might send all 5 foreigners at the same time to fill the lack of depth in the squad.
Dalian People's relegation battle is urgent. With only three rounds left in the Chinese Super League, Dalian Ren and Nantong Zhiyun have the same 19 points, and Dalian Ren has escaped the relegation zone temporarily by virtue of goal difference. However, facing Qingdao Hainiu, Wuhan Sanzhen and Shanghai Seaport, Dalian people's relegation situation is not optimistic. There are rumors that if Dalian People are unlucky to be relegated, head coach Xie Hui may resign. Dalian People may seek for a new coach to lead the team to the Central League. Fans are suggesting that Sun Jihai may be the best candidate if Xie Hui resigns. Sun Jihai was once a core player of Dalian Wanda and played for Manchester City in the English Premier League, where he was a fan favorite. After his retirement, Sun Jihai has devoted himself to youth soccer training and is currently exploring potential players in Xinjiang. If Dalian were to invite Sun Jihai, he might seriously consider taking over the team and bringing Xinjiang's youth players to Dalian to help young players make their mark in the professional league.
Beijing Guoan take on Shanghai Port. After the national team games, Guoan will have a tough match against Shanghai Port, the top team in the league. If Shanghai Port wins, they will win the Chinese Super League title two rounds ahead of schedule. In the face of no hope of winning the title, Guoan naturally do not want to be the backdrop of Shanghai Harbor. It is reported that Zhang Yuning, the striker of Guoan who was injured in Holland, has returned to the training base and is expected to make a comeback in the match against Shanghai Port. Zhang Yuning was the core of Guoan's offense last season, winning the Chinese Super League Golden Boot Award and the title of most valuable player.
National football team's naturalized striker Eckerson missed the Vietnam match. Coach Jankovic opted for veteran Tan Long at center forward and replaced Tianjin Jinmen Tiger senior center forward Xie Weijun in the second half. Although Eickson did not play in the Vietnam game, he is likely to start alongside Wei in the warm-up match against Uzbekistan, according to Beijing Youth Daily. Eckerson, who performed poorly as a starting center forward in two warm-up matches in September, could lose his starting position if he fails to prove himself against Uzbekistan.
