Shanghai Shenhua vs Ulsan Hyundai: A Crucial AFC Champions League Encounter
The much-anticipated clash between Shanghai Shenhua and Ulsan Hyundai took place on October 1, 2025, as part of the AFC Champions League Elite East group stage at Shanghai Stadium. Shanghai Shenhua, coming into this fixture, was determined to break Ulsan Hyundai’s dominant streak, having lost all three previous encounters, including a 2-1 defeat in their last meeting in December 2024.
Recent Form and Challenges
Shanghai Shenhua has experienced a rollercoaster ride in recent matches. Despite a resounding 6-1 victory over Meizhou Hakka, they have struggled to maintain consistency. This inconsistency is reflected in their inability to score more than one goal in six of their last seven games, although their last game ended in a high-score win. The team’s counterattacks and set-piece plays, under the guidance of coach Leonid Slutsky, have been acknowledged as their primary strengths.
Ulsan Hyundai, on the other hand, has displayed a steady, if not exceptional, performance. Recent results include a draw against Daegu FC, yet their head-to-head record against Shanghai Shenhua boasts a perfect 100% win rate. Ulsan’s success comes from their effective counterattacks and solid defensive discipline, even when they do not dominate possession. Known for their strong away performances, Ulsan has a positive track record, especially with a +1.5 goal handicap in recent road matches.
Team Lineups and Strategies
For this pivotal match, Shanghai Shenhua fielded Qinghao Xue, Wilson Manafa, Shenglong Jiang, Chenjie Zhu, Shinichi Chan, Tianyi Gao, Ke Li, Xi Wu, Joao Carlos Teixeira, Chengyu Liu, and Luis Asué. Ulsan Hyundai countered with Hyeon-Woo Jo, Myeong-Kwan Seo, Gustav Ludwigson, Young-Gwon Kim, Seok-Hyeon Choi, Jin-Hyun Lee, Seung-Beom Ko, Min-Seo Park, Erick Farias, Matias Lacava, and In-Woo Back.
The match was crucial for Shanghai Shenhua, who had yet to secure any points in the group stages going into the game. For Ulsan Hyundai, it was an opportunity to solidify their position near the top of the table.
Statistical Insights
Heading into the match, Ulsan Hyundai clearly had an advantage. Not only had they won all previous meetings with Shanghai Shenhua, but they also outscored the Chinese side 9 to 3 in these encounters, averaging four total goals per game. Despite Shenhua’s slight edge in possession during their last face-off, Ulsan remained the more clinical side.
This match was more than just about points; it was about Shanghai Shenhua attempting to change a narrative of historical disadvantage. However, Ulsan Hyundai’s statistical edge and consistent form made them formidable opponents.
For those wanting detailed insights and live updates from the clash, platforms like Telefootball.net, Scores24.live, and FotMob provided comprehensive coverage of this AFC Champions League showdown.
As the whistle blew at Shanghai Stadium, fans were eagerly anticipating whether Shanghai Shenhua could finally turn the tide against Ulsan Hyundai and reignite their campaign in the continental championship.