On July 5, Beijing time, the 18th round of the Chinese Super League (CSL) ushered in a key match, with Shanghai Seaport challenging Henan on the road. However, the weather was not favorable, a sudden downpour of rain made the match venue seriously waterlogged, which led to the postponement of the match for half an hour. Nevertheless, this "water war" still attracted a lot of fans' attention.
At the beginning of the game, both players were carefully looking for an opportunity to attack on the slippery field. In the 6th minute, Henan got a free kick in front of the penalty area, but Huang Zichang's shot was blocked by the wall and failed to form a threat. Shanghai Seaport gradually found the rhythm of the game. In the 15th minute, Li Shuai sent a precise long pass from the midfield, Wu Lei quickly stepped forward to receive the ball, but when facing the Henan goalkeeper Wang Guoming's attack inside the penalty area, he scooted the ball over the top and missed a good opportunity.
As time went by, the game gradually entered the white-hot stage. In the 24th minute, Henan got a chance to take a corner kick from the left side and Achimpen headed the ball in front of the goal, but Shanghai Harbor goalkeeper Yan Junling reacted quickly and pounced on the ball. However, in the 41st minute, there was a turning point on the field. Oscar's long pass from midfield to the penalty area, Wu Lei was tackled by Wang Guoming, and the referee blew for a penalty kick. Oscar took the penalty and sent the ball into the right side of the goal, Shanghai Harbor ended the first half with a 1-0 lead.
At the beginning of the second half, both sides exchanged attacks and defenses, but neither side was able to change the score. In the 66th minute, Nasario crossed the ball from the right side of the field, and Kovic's header went over the crossbar. In the 73rd minute, Henan launched a long pass from the backfield, Achim Pen brought the ball into the penalty area and shot, but was blocked by the Harbor team's defenders off the line. In the 79th minute, Feng Jin took a shot from the center of Shanghai Harbor's midfield, but his shot was also parried by Wang Ming. In the 86th minute, Henan got a free kick opportunity from the left side, Zhong Yihao headed the ball into the goal, but Yan Junling once again showed his excellent form and held the ball firmly.
In the end, as the final whistle blew, Shanghai Seaport won 1-0 on the road against Henan, and achieved 11 consecutive wins in the league.
