Advantage Shenhua But A Long Way To Go In Second Leg: The Chinese Football Podcast

It’s half-time in the CFA Cup Final Shanghai Derby, and against all expectations the underdogs in the blue corner are on top – it’s advantage Shenhua, and the panel discuss whether that’s down to the incredible Hongkou atmosphere, the return of a fully-fit Fredy Guarin and young Liu Ruofan, or a surprisingly off-colour Shanghai International Port Group.

Just how did the side in red prepare for this big game? Theories abound. Our experts look over the prospects for the second leg at Shanghai Stadium, and still have Hulk & friends down as favourites – but how will AVB’s men handle the pressure?

We also continue our club-by-club season round-up, moving into the CSL’s mid-table this week: Brandon reflects with optimism on a stop-start season for Beijing Guoan and their prospects for Roger Schmidt’s first full season in 2018, the pundits share the love for Gregorio Manzano’s CSL staying power and his Guizhou side punching above their weight, and we look back on a job well done for Changchun and Chongqing in an increasingly expensive and competitive CSL environment.

Wild East Football’s Steve Crooks is the host, joined by our regular experts Brandon Chemers in Beijing and Cameron Wilson in Shanghai.

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