You can’t buy success: Carlos Tevez’s Shanghai Shenhua debut ends with disastrous AFC Champions League exit
Chinese Super League side lose continental play-off 2-0 to Australia’s Brisbane Roar at home to miss out on place in the group stage
Carlos Tevez’s Shanghai Shenhua debut ended in a disastrous AFC Champions League exit at the hands of Australia’s Brisbane Roar on Wednesday as the Chinese Super League side suffered a 2-0 defeat at home to miss out in a place in the group stage of the continental competition.
Argentinian Tevez, who will reportedly earn €38 million (HK$315m) a season after signing from Boca Juniors last month, was largely ineffective throughout the contest at Hongkou Football Stadium as first half goals from Brandon Borrello and Tommy Oar secured the win for the visitors.
Tevez was often seen dropping too deep into midfield in an attempt to influence the contest, but the 33-year-old struggled against a well-organsied and disciplined Brisbane side who will now join Japan’s Kashima Antlers, Thailand’s Muangthong United and South Korea’s Ulsan Hyundai in group E.
"I feel very, very sad with this result," Shenhua manager Gus Poyet said. "The players gave their all, but we conceded the first goal too suddenly and quickly. We had so many opportunities today. It is hard for me to understand it. It has never happened to me before. The players were fighting with all they have, so one or two goals would have made sense."
Watch: Shanghai Shenhua v Brisbane Roar highlights