Before the Match Begins, Shanghai Port Suffer Three Setbacks as Three Players Miss Out, Affecting AFC Champions League Opener Prospects

At 18:00 Beijing time on September 15, a highly anticipated match for Chinese fans will take place in the first round of the new AFC Champions League Elite East Asia zone, with Chinese Super League defending champions Shanghai Port visiting Thai League side Ratchaburi.

Shanghai Port have been inconsistent this season. After 24 rounds of Chinese Super League matches, they have recorded 9 wins, 7 draws and 8 losses, collecting 29 points after the deduction of points and sitting only eighth in the league table. With the gap to leaders Chengdu Rongcheng approaching 20 points, Shanghai Port's hopes of defending their CSL title have effectively ended.

With their CSL title challenge fading, Shanghai Port will naturally shift more focus toward the AFC Champions League. Their opponents Ratchaburi are a Thai League side whose strength is difficult to predict, and Shanghai Port have previously suffered unexpected defeats against Thai League teams. Therefore, head coach Muscat will aim for victory in this match.

However, with more than 20 days still remaining before the match, Shanghai Port received three disappointing pieces of news. Due to a clash between the AFC Champions League schedule and the Asian Games, three Port players called up by the national team for the Asian Games will miss this important match. The three players are Wu Mitijiang, Yang Xi and Kuai Jiwen. Although all three are young players, they are important to Shanghai Port, and their simultaneous absence will have a significant impact.

Wu Mitijiang is an important central defender for Shanghai Port. He has strong physical qualities, quick recovery speed, accurate tackling decisions, and reliable blocking and clearance abilities. He also possesses the rare ability among defenders to deliver accurate forward passes, helping connect defense and midfield while reducing pressure on the team's buildup. His absence will weaken Shanghai Port's defensive stability.

Yang Xi is an important wide player in Shanghai Port's attack and defense, mainly operating as a full-back. He has a strong European-style approach to the game, aggressive defensive ability, and strong one-on-one defending skills, while being effective at second-ball positioning and covering. He also provides attacking qualities, making forward runs and contributing to wide attacking combinations. His absence will affect Shanghai Port at both ends of the pitch.

Kuai Jiwen is an important young player in Shanghai Port's midfield and attack. Playing as an attacking midfielder, he has excellent ball control, is capable of driving forward and linking play in midfield, and has good passing vision to provide key assists. He is a key player in activating the team's attacking play, and his absence could reduce Shanghai Port's attacking efficiency.

Ratchaburi's strength was already difficult to assess, meaning Shanghai Port would need to be cautious against them. Now, with three players unavailable before the match has even started, Shanghai Port face a tougher challenge in trying to secure an AFC Champions League opening victory.