World News – CAF – Shanghai beats Perth 2-1 as the AFC Champions League resumes

Shanghai Shenhua defeated Perth Glory 2-1 at Education City Stadium on Wednesday as group matches in the Eastern Province of the AFC Champions League resumed after a long suspension due to the COVID-19 outbreak..

Most of the 32 teams in the Eastern Province, made up of teams from Japan, South Korea, Australia, Thailand and China, played one or two games before the global pandemic outbreak to postpone the group stage in March, but three of the four Chinese actors did not make their debut in the tournament..

All matches in the Eastern Province will be held in Qatar, which has been chosen as the pivot for the remainder of the tournament.

Shanghai will have eight more games to pressure them if they reach the final, which is scheduled for Persepolis, who have already booked their place from the Western Conference, in December.. . 18.

Shanghai arrived in Doha just four days ago, but has played 16 domestic matches since Perth was the last time in the match and looked sharper than his Australian opponent in the opening match.. .

Peng Xinli opened the scoring with a low shot after just seven minutes and a mistake by Perth goalkeeper Tando Velavi allowed Liu Hanshao to add eight minutes before the end of the first half.. .

Jonathan Aspropotamitis got a goal for Perth late, but the A-League side, now goalless after two matches with their first upcoming defeat by FC Tokyo in February, took root in the bottom of Group F.. .

« We just finished a very intense schedule at home, » said Yu.. « Because of that, we are exhausted and have injuries but in this competition, we are not only representing our club but also Shanghai and China.. We were able to overcome our problems and get a good start. The important thing now is that we continue, « 

On Thursday, two more teams from Australia and China will participate in the Sydney FC match with Shanghai SIPG, which will also play its first match in the competition this year..

Shanghai misses former Premier League striker Marco Arnautovic, who was in service with Austria, although Australian international Aaron Moi, who joined Shanghai from English Premier League club Brighton in August, is set to face his fellow countrymen.. .

« I look forward to playing against them, » Moi said.. « We are friends off the field and foes at it. We want to get off to a good start with 3 points.

Shanghai SIPG F. C. Sydney FC, AFC Champions League, A-League, Li Shenglong, Aaron Mooy