On June 18, Beijing time, the 7th round of the Chinese Super League came to an end, Shanghai Port defeated Meizhou Hakka 2-1 away, and with a strong performance of eight consecutive wins, it officially surpassed Shanghai Shenhua and successfully won the trophy of the Chinese Super League halfway championship. From doubts at the beginning of the season to today's glory, Shanghai Port has transformed into a powerhouse that the entire Chinese Super League is feared by.
At the home of Meizhou Hakka, the game at Shanghai Port did not start well. In the first half, Gustavo was fouled by a Meizhou Hakka player in the penalty area, which was an obvious penalty opportunity, but the referee failed to give a fair decision. However, in the second half, referee Ren Tong made a surprising decision when he ruled that SIPG's suspected handball goal was valid without checking the VAR replay. This penalty caused strong dissatisfaction among Meizhou Hakka players, but Shanghai Port seized the opportunity of the opponent's emotional out-of-control, and Wu Lei scored a key goal to seal the victory for the team. Although Meizhou Hakka then pulled a goal back, Shanghai Port still had the last laugh.
In the history of the Chinese Super League, the team that won the halfway championship often has a high probability of eventually lifting the league championship trophy, which is as high as more than 70%. In recent years, although there have been precedents of half-marathon champions "overturning", such as Beijing Guoan in the 2019 season, given Shanghai Port's recent excellent record and form, other Chinese Super League teams may need to make a huge effort to challenge for their title status.
Today's Shanghai Port, with its unique tactical style and outstanding player performance, has become a beautiful scenery in the Chinese Super League. They have shown a strong dominance against teams in the middle and lower reaches of the Chinese Super League, averaging more than 60% possession per game, accurate passing and ferocious attacking firepower, averaging more than three goals per game. In the context of the decline in the overall competitive level of the Chinese Super League in recent years, the performance of Shanghai Port is particularly prominent, as if it has become a "golden signboard" in the Chinese Super League.
Compared to last season, Shanghai Port has improved significantly in terms of mental outlook and tactical rationality. If it weren't for the existence of a strong team like Shanghai Shenhua this season, Shanghai Port could almost be said to be invincible. The doubts about their tactics at the start of the season have faded away, replaced by recognition and respect for their quality. Today's Shanghai Port is no longer a "joke" in people's mouths, but has truly become the hegemon of the Chinese Super League.