Fronted by Jeonbuk and Pohang in the Rear! Korean Away Matches Become a Nightmare for Shanghai Port; ACL Away Win Drought Continues

On October 1st, in the second round of the Asian Champions League (ACL) Elite League, Shanghai Port suffered a 0-3 defeat away to Pohang Steelers. Since the crushing loss to Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors in the 2016 season, they have once again experienced a painful defeat in an away match in Korea. Moreover, since the 2018 season, Shanghai Port has been unable to secure a win in their ACL away matches for 2394 consecutive days.

In the ACL arena, it is often said that teams from the Korean K League have the upper hand over Chinese Super League (CSL) teams, and apart from Guangzhou FC (formerly Guangzhou Evergrande), this has held true for other CSL teams participating in the ACL as well. After reaching the quarter-finals in the 2016 season, Shanghai Port faced the formidable Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors at the time. They drew 0-0 at home in the first leg but were defeated 0-5 away in the second leg, with Lu Wenjun receiving a red card.

This scenario was almost identical to their recent away match against Pohang Steelers. After squandering several opportunities in the first half, they conceded three goals within 19 minutes in the second half. Ju Sa deliberately got himself sent off with a red card, marking another complete defeat in an away match in Korea after eight years.

Notably, after winning 1-0 away against Ulsan HD in the group stage of the 2018 season, Shanghai Port struggled to secure a single away victory in subsequent ACL campaigns. In the final round of the group stage that season, they lost 1-2 to Melbourne Victory, and in the Round of 16, they were defeated 1-3 away to Kashima Antlers, ultimately leading to their elimination.

In the 2019 season, they managed only one draw and two losses in three away matches during the group stage. In the Round of 16, both home and away matches against Jeonbuk ended in 1-1 draws, but they advanced on penalties, avenging their previous 0-5 away loss. In the quarter-finals, they drew 1-1 away to Urawa Red Diamonds but were eliminated due to the away goals rule.

From the 2020 season onwards, Shanghai Port twice exited in the playoff round, and when they did make it to the group stage, they played on neutral grounds, even opting out once. In their first away match of this season’s ACL Elite League, they lost 0-3 to Pohang Steelers, extending their winless streak in ACL away matches to 2394 days.