Shanghai Port 3-2 win over Wuhan Three Towns

In the 23rd round of the Chinese Super League, Wuhan Three Towns hosted Shanghai Port. In the end, thanks to a brace from Prince Ampem, Shanghai Port came from behind to win 3-2 away and secured a crucial victory in their relegation battle.

In the 3rd minute, Wuhan Three Towns got off to a perfect start. Kilian Bevis crossed from the left, and Cadiz scored with a header. Five minutes later, Wuhan almost scored again, but Cadiz’s close-range effort from another left-wing cross hit the post.

In the 12th minute, Wumitijiang committed a tactical foul on Li Ang, and the referee issued him a yellow card. In the 24th minute, Bevis broke through on the left and lifted the ball over the onrushing Yan Junling. Ming Tian volleyed at the back post, but the shot went over.

In the 27th minute, Fang Jingqi’s goal kick was intercepted directly. Leo Souza got the ball and faced Fang Jingqi, choosing to chip it, but Wuhan’s defense cleared on the goal line. Two minutes later, Leo Souza set up Melendo outside the box, who adjusted his body and curled a shot from the edge of the area that struck the woodwork. The first half ended with Wuhan Three Towns leading by one at home.

At halftime, Shanghai Port made the first substitution, with Li Shuai coming on for Yue Xin. In the 50th minute, Shanghai Port equalized: Mateus Vital delivered an accurate cross from the left, and Wei Zhen leapt high to head the ball home, leveling the score.

In the 55th minute, Shanghai Port launched a quick counterattack. Ampem handed off to Wu Lei, who played a one-touch pass. Fang Jingqi saved the initial shot, but Ampem followed up the rebound to score, giving the visitors a 2-1 lead.

In the 59th minute, Shanghai Port struck again. Sauer lost the ball at the back, and Ampem snatched it away. Melendo then played a through pass, and Ampem slotted into the far corner for his second goal, making it 3-1 and extending the lead.

In the 62nd minute, Leo Souza pushed the ball into the net, but after checking VAR, referee Ai Kun explained and canceled the goal. According to Ai Kun, Shanghai Port’s Leo Souza was offside and interfered with play, and the decision was offside.

Afterwards, both teams made substitutions. In the 66th minute, Fu Huan was replaced by Jean Claude. Shortly after, Wuhan Three Towns brought on Xiong Jizheng and Chen Zhechao, seeking to fight back in the second half. One minute later, Jiang Guangtai and Liu Zhuren replaced Wumiti Jiang and Wu Lei, respectively.

In the 72nd minute, Leo Souza delivered a brilliant pass, but Liu Zhuren’s right-foot shot from the left side of the box was blocked. In the 75th minute, Cadiz headed the ball on after dropping back, Long Wei received the ball and passed to the flank, where Antoine Leautey struck with his right foot to the far corner, scoring his first goal for Wuhan Three Towns and making it 2-3.

In the 84th minute, Muscat substituted Zhang Linpeng for Leo Souza, shifting focus to defense to try to hold the lead. In the first minute of stoppage time, Cadiz headed the ball on, Adriano made an overhead pass, and Li Ang scored, but VAR intervened. The referee announced to the stadium that Li Ang was offside, the goal was disallowed, and Shanghai Port escaped unscathed away from home.

In the end, Shanghai Port defeated Wuhan Three Towns 3-2 away, securing three crucial points in their bid to avoid relegation.