AFC Champions League: Shanghai Shenhua make winning return against Perth Glory
- Matches in AFC’s eastern zone are being played in a bio-secure bubble in Doha
Peng Xinli put the Chinese giants ahead in the seventh minute and Yu Hanchao consolidated in the 38th before Jonathan Aspropotamitis pulled one back for the Australians nine minutes from time at the air-conditioned Education City Stadium.
Shenhua’s South Korean coach Choi Kang-hee had voiced pessimism over his team’s chances at his press conference on Tuesday, saying a spate of injuries had left his side facing a crisis of sorts in the coronavirus-hit tournament.
“We just finished our Chinese Super League season and we have some problems with injuries,” said Choi, who guided South Korean side Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors to the title in 2006 and 2016.
“For us, our team selection is incomplete. It’s a pity. For this team it is quite difficult because we have so many injuries, especially for the first three matches. It’s going to be a big problem for this team.”
But going by their performance on Wednesday much of his fears seemed exaggerated as Shenhua dominated the exchanges in Doha, where the matches in AFC’s eastern zone are also being played in a bio-secure bubble.