Although Shanghai Seaport didn't field the strongest squad, with national soccer team top scorer Wu Lei, defensive stalwart Zhang Lin Miao and foreigner Chitadini unable to play due to injuries, Shanghai Seaport was still awarded the top scorer in the Chinese Super League with 34 goals.
In the away match against Ulsan HD, Shanghai Seaport's starting lineup and substitutes were as follows: goalkeeper Yan Junling, defenders Li Ang, Wang Shenchao, Wei Zhen, Yang Shiyuan, Li Shuai, midfielder Oscar, strikers Vargas, Xu Xin (68th minute substitution, No. 9 Gustavo), Lv Wengjun (36th minute substitution, No. 19 Wang Zhen'ao), and No. 30 William Pope.
The bench also includes No. 12 Chen Wei, No. 25 Du Jia, No. 6 Cai Huikang, No. 23 Fu Huan, No. 31 Bao Shimeng, No. 33 Liu Zhurun, No. 37 Chen Xu Huang and No. 45 Liu Xiaolong.
Brazilian player Oscar, who used to play for Chelsea in the English Premier League, easily won the Chinese Super League's assist leader with 20 assists, and contributed three assists in this game. Argentine striker Vargas, who made his mark in Spain in La Liga, scored a hat-trick. Shanghai Harbour took an early two-goal lead in the match, and despite a second-half point from their opponents, won 3-1.
After collecting the three points, Shanghai Harbour are in the delicate position of eighth place in the AFC Elite League's East Asia Division, equal on points with Johor Bahru, Shanghai Shenhua, Shandong Taishan and Thai rivals Buriram United.
Gwangju FC is in the relegation group in the Korean K-League, but is making a strong showing in the AFC Elite League. In their last match, only foreigner Asani came on as a substitute and scored the winning goal, helping Gwangju FC beat Shanghai Shenhua 1-0 at home and placed second with 12 points. With a win, Gwangju FC is expected to lock up the top eight early and advance to the knockout stage.
Notably, Shanghai Seaport's three injured players Wu Lei, Zhang Linmiao and Chitadini are feared to remain out of action, with Li Ang suspended for a red card. While in Gwangju, Asani and Mikel Tazer did not come to Shanghai with the team.
So what will be the outcome of Gwangju FC's showdown at the home of Shanghai Seaport?
