Match Preview: Shanghai Shenhua (H)

Central Coast Mariners are back in AFC Champions League Elite (ACLE) action on Tuesday evening, welcoming Chinese Super League team Shanghai Shenhua at Our Paradise (7pm kick-off).

The Mariners are looking to build on a solid start to the Isuzu UTE A-League season as well as a strong showing in ACLE Matchday Three, against Shenhua’s rivals Shanghai Port.

Shanghai Shenhua come into the game off the back of final day heartbreak in the Chinese Super League, missing out on the title to their biggest rivals Shanghai Port.

Port reclaimed top spot in the penultimate round as Shenhua dropped points at home to Peng City, and despite Shenhua finishing with a win, Kevin Muscat’s Port side cruised to a 5-0 win on the final day to secure back-to-back CSL titles.

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Form:

Despite missing out on the title, Shenhua have enjoyed an incredible CSL season, losing just one game. In the ACLE, they have won home matches against Pohang Steelers (4-1) and Kawasaki Frontale (2-0) either side of a 3-0 defeat away to Johor Darul Ta’Zim.

The Mariners are yet to get off the mark in our first season back in Asia’s elite competition, losing away to Shenhua’s CSL rivals Shandong Taishan (3-1) and Shanghai Port (3-2), as well as a 2-1 defeat to Buriram United at Our Paradise on Matchday Two.

Key Players:

Shenhua’s firepower up front comes in the form of Brazilian forward Andre Luis and his Swiss strike partner Cephas Malele, who have each netted two in the ACLE so far, as well as 17 and 16, respectively, in the CSL this season.

For the Mariners, Mikael Doka has been the go-to man in the ACLE, scoring two so far which have both come against Chinese opponents, including a goal of the season contender on Matchday Three.

Sasha Kuzevski will be hoping to keep his place in the starting side, he made his first start for the club in Saturday’s draw with Perth and put in a Man of the Match performance.

Jacko: “We have to be more clinical”

Our Head Coach is expecting another tough ACLE fixture but believes there are pleasing elements from recent performances to build on. Jacko also gave a squad update including the status of Bradley Tapp and Christian Theoharous’ injuries.

“It’s going to be a tough game against a strong opponent, like all the games in the Champions League.” Jacko said in his pre-match press conference on Monday.

“They are coming off the back of disappointment, missing out on the title in their league but we know they are a really strong team with a good squad. They are going to have to endure the travel like we did but we know they have quality and we have to be ready for that, we feel prepared.

“Particularly against the Chinese teams, there have been elements of our performances that have been really pleasing, so we don’t have to change that much.

“We have to be prepared for their strong players, we know their attacking players have a lot of flair and creativity and behind them they are structured and organised.

“Their forward players can unlock defences and don’t need many chances to score. We have to make sure we are right defensively, I think in the A-League we have shown we have a solid structure, from our point of view what we need to bring is the attacking element which we missed in our last game.

“We know we have a lot of adaptability with what we can do [tactically]. Our wing-backs have the capability play in a higher position, then our 10 players can threaten in behind and exist in the pockets.

“Once we get into the final third we need to show a little bit more composure and quality, particularly in this competition where chances are few and far between. We’ll be pushing like every game to dominate the ball as much as we can, build in our way and create chances.” Jacko explained.

Tapp had to be substituted in the first half against Perth, with Diesel Herrington stepping into his place for his A-League debut. Jacko gave an update on Tappy’s situation:

“He won’t be available for tomorrow. He is getting a scan today and we are hopeful that it’s not too bad. He has been outstanding alongside Brian, dropping down into centre back.” Jacko said.

“Nathan Paull and Diesel Herrington are alongside a fantastic leader, who is growing in that role [as a leader] he is a fantastic example to those players and it’s a privilege for us to have Brian in our team.

“Christian Theoharous is training, he’s getting close but won’t be ready for tomorrow. We are pushing him and we’re hopeful we can get him back as soon as possible. We need our attacking players and Christian is a player who can be a threat to opponents so we’re looking forward to having him back on the pitch.”

The Mariners are at home again this weekend as we take on Wellington Phoenix in the Isuzu UTE A-League, Jacko says a rare week without travel is helping preparation.

“[Having a week without travel] is always nice, it helps with our preparation. We always like playing at home in front of our supporters. We didn’t get the result for them on Saturday, we have to be more clinical and score more goals, that’s what we’re aiming to do in tomorrow’s game,” he said.

🗣 Brian Kaltak: “We believe in what we’re doing”

Our current skipper attended the pre-match press conference with Jacko, commenting on our upcoming opponents and taking on the captaincy in the absence of Trent Sainsbury.

“We understand that Shanghai Shenhua are one of the best teams we are going to come up against. This week, we have watched videos and learned about how they play, but we are focussing on ourselves and how we can execute our plan together.”

“[Being captain] is a new thing for me at club level but I am enjoying the responsibility for taking these young boys forward.

“A big thing at this club is developing young players, the coaching staff have been doing this for years, it’s nothing new for us and you can see these young boys developing. For me, I just have to give a little insight to help develop them and give them confidence.”

“We believe in what we’re doing, we are together in our mindset. [Results] might not be coming right now but we know they will in the future, we can see the progress is there and we just need to keep believing in our processes and structure.” Kaltak said.

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