Preview of the AFC Champions League: Pohang Faces Shanghai Teams, Port Aims for First Away Win Without Wu Lei and Bagas

On October 1st, in the second round of the East Asia Zone matches in the AFC Champions League, the Chinese Super League (CSL) team Shanghai Port will be away against the strong Korean team Pohang Steelers. This is Shanghai Port’s first away match in an Asian competition after five years. Can they achieve their first win in this season’s AFC Champions League without Wu Lei?

In the first round, Pohang Steelers were defeated 4-1 by Shenhua as the away team. However, at that time, Pohang Steelers were constrained by consecutive losses in domestic competitions and fielded a substitute lineup. But in the last two rounds of the Korean K League, Pohang Steelers have won consecutively, securing their spot in the championship group of the Korean K League. The two key players of Shanghai Port, Wu Lei and Bagas, did not travel with the team due to injuries, which has some impact on the team’s prospects.

In the last two rounds of the K League, Pohang Steelers consecutively defeated Gyeongnam FC and Incheon United. Moreover, in their recent nine home games, despite participating in multiple competitions, they achieved six wins and three losses, and recently clinched three consecutive home victories.

After being defeated 1-3 away by Shenhua in the Shanghai Derby in the CSL, Shanghai Port subsequently achieved five wins and one draw in competitions across different fronts. However, the only draw was the 2-2 tie with the weaker Johor Darul Ta’zim in the first round of the AFC Champions League. This season, Port has been unable to win only three away games, including two draws and losing the Shanghai Derby to Shenhua.

The last time Pohang Steelers hosted a game in the AFC Champions League (formerly known as the AFC Champions League) was in the Round of 16 last season against Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors, drawing 1-1 and ultimately stopping at the Round of 16. The last time they faced a CSL team at home in the AFC Champions League was against Wuhan Three Towns in the group stage last season, achieving one win and one draw. At home, under the condition of having already advanced, they drew 1-1 with Wuhan Three Towns.

The last time Shanghai Port participated in an away game in the AFC Champions League was in the quarterfinals second leg of the 2019 season, drawing 1-1 with Urawa Red Diamonds and being eliminated (Shanghai Port’s subsequent AFC Champions League matches were held at neutral venues or home). The last time they faced a Korean team away was in the Round of 16 second leg of the 2019 season, drawing with Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors and eventually eliminating them through a penalty shootout.

After resolving their predicament in Korean domestic competitions, Pohang Steelers will not use substitutes like in the first round and will strive for their first victory at home. Can Shanghai Port, led by Oscar, overcome the shadow of drawing with Johor Darul Ta’zim in the first round without Wu Lei and Bagas?

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