China’s Shanghai Shenhua apologise after failing to make AFC Champions League group stage
Chinese Super League side lose 2-0 at home to Australia’s Brisbane Roar as Argentinian fails to make an impact on his debut
China’s big-spending Shanghai Shenhua, spearheaded by high-profile new signing Carlos Tevez, apologised to fans after being dumped out of Asia’s top club competition by Australian side Brisbane Roar on Wednesday.
Shanghai Shenhua, who are managed by Uruguayan Gus Poyet and who also have Nigeria striker Obafemi Martins on their books, were beaten 2-0 in chilly conditions in Shanghai in their AFC Champions League play-off.
“For the shame of today’s result, we offer a sincere apology to all those fans who braved the bitter cold to come to the stadium and support Shenhua,” the club said.
“The players all did their best, and we longed to win as much as you did, but sometimes soccer can just be this cruel.”
Shanghai Shenhua finished fourth in the Chinese Super League last season, 16 points behind champions Guangzhou Evergrande.
Amid of flurry of high-profile transfers by Chinese clubs, Shenhua bought Tevez from Boca Juniors in December and made the 33-year-old the sport’s highest paid player with a reported salary of US$753,000 per week.
You can’t buy success: Carlos Tevez’s Shanghai Shenhua debut ends with disastrous AFC Champions League exit
Tevez’s arrival in Shanghai came hot on the heels of Brazilian midfielder Oscar joining local rivals Shanghai SIPG from Chelsea in a deal believed to be worth €60 million (HK$496m).
Shenhua’s fans also vented their anger at the loss as first half goals from Brandon Borrello and Tommy Oar secured the win for the visitors.
“It would be better to spend this huge money on stellar coaches than huge annual salaries for these players,” said one fan in a post on Sina Weibo.
“The season hasn’t even started yet and we’re out of the Asian Champions League. The crowd is already losing hope.”
Watch: Shanghai Shenhua v Brisbane Roar highlights
Graziano Pelle, Ezequiel Lavezzi and Jackson Martinez are all recent arrivals in China, while Shanghai SIPG manager Andre Villas-Boas is also on a lucrative contract since replacing former England boss Sven Goran-Eriksson.
With the backing of soccer fan President Xi Jinping, China has been on a spending spree on players, clubs and overseas assets over the last two years, raising hopes that domestic clubs and the national team could benefit.
However, the influx of marquee players into China and huge transfer fees has divided opinion, as well as prompting Chinese soccer authorities to tighten rules and stop clubs “burning money” on foreign talent at the expense of homegrown players.
China’s national team coach stepped down in October last year after defeats to Uzbekistan and Syria left their bid to qualify for the 2018 World Cup in tatters.
