Seven Foreign Players Ready, Shanghai Port Hope to Change Their AFC Champions League Image

By Cheng Shan. The Beijing-Guangzhou clash in Chinese Super League Round 26 ended goalless. Although Shanghai Port controlled the pace throughout the match and created several scoring chances, they were unable to find the breakthrough, ending their two-game winning streak. Fortunately, they will now have a relatively long preparation period ahead of their first AFC Champions League test of the season. During this summer transfer window, Port added two new foreign players, Campos and Grau. With all seven foreign players available, they naturally hope to end their embarrassing run of 13 consecutive AFC Champions League Elite League matches without a win across seasons.

The match against Guoan was a difficult one for Port, as the team had been playing continuously with limited time for adjustments. However, after a big win in the FA Cup, the squad received a morale boost. The coaching staff focused training on physical recovery while refining a match plan against Guoan. With only five league rounds remaining, despite a disastrous start to the season, the team hopes to maintain its cup competition form, collect more league points, and improve its ranking. After several days of recovery training, players' physical condition improved to some extent. One player said before the match that the team had strong internal unity and hoped to use home advantage to secure victory, with a positive atmosphere inside the squad.

In this match, Port started with all five of its foreign players, while Guoan fielded only one foreign player. During the game, Port firmly controlled the initiative and kept applying pressure on the opponent's defense. Leonardo and Li Xinxiang both had dangerous scoring opportunities but missed the target. Guoan dropped deeper defensively and relied on collective defending to withstand wave after wave of attacks, while goalkeeper Hou Sen made several key saves to keep a clean sheet. Overall, Port's attacks were intense, but they lacked the goal needed to break the deadlock.

During halftime, the coaching staff reminded players in the locker room to remain patient, stick with their established attacking patterns, and avoid losing their rhythm because of the prolonged stalemate. However, until the final whistle, neither side was able to change the score.

However, head coach Kevin Muscat was not disappointed by the draw after the match. In his view, the team appeared to have lost two points from the result perspective, but considering the 90-minute performance, the players showed high commitment throughout. “The overall performance deserves recognition, but there is still room for improvement in finishing. The team remains in the process of refining its tactics,” he said. He specifically mentioned Yan Junling, who did not need to make difficult saves in this match but played an important role in organizing attacks from the back and served as a key outlet in the team's buildup system.

After facing Guoan, Port will enjoy a valuable break of nearly ten days. At 18:00 on September 15, the team will begin the first round of the AFC Champions League Elite League campaign away against Ratchaburi, also translated as Ratchaburi Province.

Last season, Port struggled in the AFC Champions League Elite League, recording four draws and four losses in eight matches without a victory. Including their final five matches of the 2024/25 season, when they recorded one draw and four losses, their winless run across seasons has extended to 13 matches, creating significant pressure within the club. This summer, Port specifically brought in two central and defensive foreign reinforcements, Jaume Grau and Miguel Campos, for the AFC Champions League, showing the club's determination to change its continental performance.

Regarding the newly joined players who are about to participate in the AFC Champions League, Muscat admitted that they lack experience in official matches and can only maintain fitness through training. However, their physical preparation is already sufficient for the competition, and their integration into the team has progressed smoothly. “Their professional attitude and personalities have been recognized within the squad, and the club expects them to release their energy on the AFC Champions League stage,” Muscat said.

Compared with many teams that must play consecutive matches every three or four days, this rest window provides relatively favorable conditions. However, many players have accumulated considerable fatigue after competing in both the league and FA Cup. Combined with long travel to Southeast Asia and adaptation to hot and humid conditions, the effective time available for the coaching staff to refine tactics has been further reduced.

From this AFC Champions League draw, Port avoided all Japanese clubs, which can be considered a major positive. Their first-round opponent is Thai League side Ratchaburi, a team unfamiliar to many. They finished third in the Thai League last season and earned a place in the AFC Champions League. The squad is built around Thai, Philippine, and Malaysian players, along with several strong foreign players, including former Guoan foreign player Bieira, who joined this summer. The hot and humid conditions at Mitr Phol Sugar Stadium and the passionate home supporters are important advantages for the team.

Tactically, Ratchaburi prefers to wait for opponents to push forward before launching quick counterattacks through the wings. Last season, they twice drew with eventual champions Gamba Osaka over two legs in the AFC Champions League Two quarterfinals, only being eliminated after conceding another goal in extra time. The team is not strong at maintaining long periods of possession and relies more on moments of transition to create chances. With the Thai League starting in September, they will also face rotation challenges while competing on two fronts.

For Port, this away match is about much more than a comparison of strength on paper. In addition to studying the opponent's defensive counterattack approach, overcoming the away climate and travel fatigue, as well as breaking down a compact defense, are key issues to solve during the break. The ten-day rest period is both a chance for physical recovery and a crucial stage for tactical preparation. The quality of the players' recovery will directly influence the outcome of Port's AFC Champions League opener.