Shanghai Shenhua showcased their might in the AFC Champions League Elite, securing a thrilling 4-2 victory over Vissel Kobe. The match, held at Shenhua's home ground, saw Brazilian striker Saulo Mineiro steal the spotlight with an impressive hat-trick.
The action kicked off explosively as Mineiro headed in Gao Tianyi's corner within the first 68 seconds, setting the tone for the game. Vissel Kobe faced early adversity when Powell Obinna was sent off in the 7th minute after a reckless challenge on Andre Luis, reducing Kobe to ten men.
Shanghai Shenhua extended their lead just before half-time when Chen Jingyi's deflected shot found the bottom corner, making it 2-0. The second half saw Mineiro continue his dominance, scoring two more times to complete his hat-trick. His third goal came from the penalty spot in the 70th minute after a handball by Takuya Iwanami.
Despite Kobe's efforts to claw back, including a stunning strike from Niina Tominaga and a late header from Haruya Ide, Shanghai Shenhua held firm. The victory lifts Shenhua to seventh place in the East division with 10 points, positioning them well for a potential advancement to the knockout rounds.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
