Sanfrecce Hiroshima — Shanghai Port : Match Preview and Prediction for September 30,2025

Sanfrecce Hiroshima: Title Contention and Current Form

It’s widely understood that vying for a championship in a tournament of this magnitude is incredibly challenging. However, based on their potential and quality of play, Sanfrecce Hiroshima is certainly capable of competing for victory, at least within their own group. With the Japanese championship currently in full swing, the team is undoubtedly in excellent form.

Past Struggles and Current Success

Sanfrecce endured a humiliating exit in the 2 last season, but their squad selection has proven to be exceptionally strong since then. As a result, the team has reached the final stages of both the League Cup and the Emperor’s Cup in Japan. In the J-League, they sit in sixth place but are actively pushing for medal positions. Their home record in Japan is impeccable, with 7 wins in 15 matches. Their start in the has been particularly impressive, securing a confident victory against Melbourne City in Melbourne, calmly scoring two goals to clinch the win.

The Peculiarities of Chinese Football

Chinese football possesses a distinct characteristic. Regardless of how well teams perform domestically or how many star players they acquire, international tournaments often turn into a debacle. The Chinese national team, for instance, has yet to achieve significant success, a consequence of this underlying philosophy.

Shanghai Port’s Domestic Prowess and International Struggles

Within their home league, Shanghai Port demonstrates strong performance, currently holding first place with minimal issues. However, their away form is not flawless, as evidenced by a recent defeat against Chengdu, where a direct rival comfortably netted four goals against them. Their inaugural match in the was a complete failure, suffering a decisive home loss to Japanese side Kobe. They conceded three goals, all of which were scored in the first half in Shanghai.