The Super Cup revealed numerous shortcomings for Harbor, yet Muscat remains hopeful for the new season.

Written by Cheng Shan After seven years, Shanghai Harbor met Beijing Guoan again in the "Super Cup," with an identical 2-0 score. Yet on this occasion, hindered by problems including squad incompleteness, inadequate磨合 time for new players, and the inexperience of the young roster, the CSL titleholders Harbor could not achieve the desired opening win for 2026. Post-match, the team has to deal with both the aftermath of the loss and the daunting task of beginning the new CSL campaign with a five-point deficit.

Shanghai Harbor's preparations for the new season are beset by multiple difficulties, with squad incompleteness emerging as a core factor limiting the team's competitiveness. Beyond injury troubles, the integration of new signings remains a prominent issue. Despite significant roster turbulence at the season's start, the team's collective expectations for this trophy were notably high prior to the match.

Before kickoff, rain began in Nanjing, and the wet conditions, intensified by an easterly wind, added further uncertainty and difficulty for player performance. Harbor's starting lineup featured five new signings: Yang Xi, Lu Yongtao, An Yongjia, Jean Claude, and Ampem, indicating a major overhaul. After the match began, Guoan quickly settled in, creating a threat within just 20 seconds through Yang Liyu's cross from the byline, with Zhang Yuning's header being pushed away by Yan Junling. Guoan maintained pressure, and in the 11th minute, Nkololo's cross nearly led to a goal. Harbor gradually sought their rhythm while under sustained pressure.

Tactically, Harbor's midfield connectivity was particularly problematic. With Vital as the midfield core, when he pushed forward, there was a lack of receiving options in deeper areas; when he dropped back to organize, forward Lu Yongtao, not yet fully adapted to his position, failed to effectively link up the attack. Moreover, hampered by disjointed midfield distribution, wide players like Ampem, despite possessing one-on-one dribbling ability, often had to rely on individual efforts to create chances, significantly reducing offensive efficiency. Center forward An Yongjia also failed to establish an effective advantage against Guoan's foreign center-backs. In the 28th minute, Yang Xi's cross caused chaos in Guoan's penalty area, with Da Wan's clearance nearly resulting in an own goal as the ball struck the post. In the 41st minute, Jean Claude's shot following a free-kick routine again hit the woodwork. Harbor missed these two opportunities to equalize, while Beijing Guoan's Da Wan's spectacular long-range strike in the 31st minute stood as the sole goal of the first half.

After the halftime break, Harbor made the first substitution, bringing on Liu Zhurun for An Yongjia. In the 60th minute, Muscat introduced Leonardo for Gabriel. The team's top scorer from last season had missed the final two AFC Champions League group stage matches due to injury and took the field here not fully recovered. By the 72nd minute, Wu Lei and Li Xinxiang entered together, replacing Lu Yongtao and Ampem, marking Wu Lei's return to action after 288 days.

Harbor's only Super Cup victory in club history was a 2-0 win over Guoan in 2019, but Wu Lei had already departed for Spain by then. Playing in his hometown Nanjing this time, Wu Lei came on with his team trailing 1-0. Although he actively sought attacking opportunities, he could not help alter the outcome. In the 84th minute, Guoan's Cao Yongjing scored, sealing a 2-0 victory and ultimately Harbor's defeat.

Post-match, head coach Muscat clearly expressed disappointment with the loss: "We had five new players starting. The overall condition of the players was not at its peak, including those who came off the bench trying to change the game; the impact wasn't ideal either. We lacked some luck, hitting the post twice, and didn't deliver a performance good enough to win the trophy. This defeat gives us a clear understanding of our current situation and provides direction for future improvements."

Addressing the team's recent lack of goals and attacking ineffectiveness, Muscat stated it was not unexpected: "To score goals, you must first create chances. The team has undergone significant personnel changes recently. Gabriel and Ampem, due to limited training time together, are not at peak fitness, and substitutes are also in an adjustment phase. These are not excuses; we will face the issues and gradually enhance our attacking quality."

A single match cannot determine what results Harbor will achieve over the coming season. However, the immediate reality is that due to prior disciplinary sanctions, Harbor will begin the new CSL season with a -5 point deficit. Coupled with issues exposed in this Super Cup, such as injuries and team integration, the team's campaign faces severe challenges. Muscat explicitly stated that the focus will now shift to the league: "We will stick to our style of play, demanding the players remain brave and continue to attack. Although the start is difficult, we still hold expectations for the new season."