Former England international goalkeeper, Ian Walker played for Tottenham Hotspur, Leicester City and Bolton Wanderers. In 2012 he moved to China to become goalkeeper coach of Shanghai Shenhua, before crossing the city divide to join Shanghai SIPG in 2014. In Walks the Walk he talks football and China. Follow him on Twitter: @IanWalks1
AFC Champions League
Shanghai SIPG will take part in the AFC Champions League for the first time in the clubs history this year. Having come second in the Chinese Super League last season, however, if we are to make the group stage we must win a one-off qualification game at the Shanghai Stadium against either Muangthong United of Thailand. (A bit of trivia for you – a certain Robbie Fowler ended his career at the club in the 2011/12 season, where he became player/coach).
It’s going to be tricky, being a stand-alone match. In some ways we would prefer a home and away scenario, because the better team will generally prevail over two legs. In a one-off, as we know from England and the FA Cup, anything can happen. Having had such a long campaign last season, to come second in the CSL and qualify, it would be a real shame to fall at the last hurdle and waste all that hard work. Our reward should we win would be to face Melbourne Victory, Gamba Osaka and Suwon Samsung Bluewings in the group stages, so it is a huge game for club and everybody involved. We’d certainly welcome an early goal to settle the nerves.
Signing of Elkeson
We go into that February 9 qualification game bolstered by the signing of Brazilian striker Elkeson (pictured) from Guangzhou Evergrande. He has huge experience in the Champions League, having played in for the last three seasons with Guangzhou, winning it twice in 2013 and 2015. He scored the decisive goal in the final in both those victories, including the vital goal to give them a 1-0 win back in November. So he is a proven goalscorer at the highest level in Asia, and joins us having also won the Chinese Super League three years in a row, ending up league top scorer two of those seasons. He is a strong powerful player and I’m sure he will come in and score goals, adding a new dimension to the team. He’ll also be reuniting with his teammate from that 2013 CSL and Champions league winning season Dario Conca, now our attacking midfield maestro. Add our Ghanaian striker Asamoah Gyan into the mix, and it is going to interesting to see what happens – that is quite the attacking trio right there.
Shanghai SIPG Supporters’ Club
That’s Shanghai is teaming up with the Camel Hospitality Group to put on drinks deals before and after Shanghai SIPG home games and during away games. Join the Facebook group ‘Shanghai SIPG Supporters’ Club’ or email marketing@urbanatomy.com with the title ‘Shanghai SIPG’ for more details.
- Shanghai SIPG vs Muangthong United
> Tuesday February 9, 7.30pm. Shanghai Stadium, see event listing.
If Shanghai win, their AFC champions League home games will be against Suwon Samsung Bluewings on March 2, Gamba Osaka on March 15 and Melbourne Victory on april 19, all at the Shanghai Stadium. They would open their campaign away to Melbourne on Wednesday February 24 at 4.45pm.
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