Oscar’s Late Penalty Rescues Shanghai Port in AFC Champions League Elite Draw
In a dramatic encounter at the AFC Champions League Elite on Tuesday, Shanghai Port of the Chinese Super League (CSL) salvaged a 1-1 draw against Gwangju FC from South Korea’s K League 1. The match, held in east China’s Shanghai Municipality, keeps Shanghai Port’s hopes alive for advancing to the knockout stages.
Despite the home advantage, Shanghai Port struggled to match Gwangju’s attacking prowess. Early in the game, Gwangju found the net in the 10th minute, but the goal was disallowed for offside. Shanghai Port weathered several early attacks but ultimately conceded in the 38th minute.
Gwangju’s Heo Yool capitalized on a defensive lapse when Gustavo’s clearance fell kindly to him. Despite slipping initially, Heo regained his footing to score, giving Gwangju a 1-0 lead on the road.
The situation worsened for Shanghai Port in the 55th minute when defender Wei Zhen received a red card for a high challenge, reducing the home side to ten men. Facing a deficit both in score and players, Shanghai Port needed inspiration.
That inspiration came from Brazilian midfielder Oscar, who stepped up in the 74th minute. Driving into the penalty area, Oscar was brought down by a Gwangju defender. After consultation with the Video Assistant Referee (VAR), a penalty was awarded. Oscar calmly converted the spot-kick, leveling the match at 1-1.
Neither team managed to break the deadlock in the remaining minutes. The draw leaves Shanghai Port in seventh place with eight points in the AFC Champions League East Region after six games. Their path to the knockout stage remains challenging, with upcoming matches against top-ranked teams Vissel Kobe and Yokohama F. Marinos. The top eight teams in the region will progress to the next round.
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Oscar saves Shanghai against Gwangju in AFC Champions League Elite
cgtn.com
