Is Cahill playing his last Shenhua match?
Print Edition
IF reports are to be believed, Shanghai Greenland Shenhua’s big name Australian import Tim Cahill may be playing his last match in the famed blue colors when the Chinese Super League side hosts Liaoning Whowin at Hongkou Stadium tonight.
The former Everton player has struggled in the Chinese Super League and could only muster a solitary goal — a penalty — after 13 rounds of play.
Shenhua has been linked with a host of names as the mid-season transfer draws near.
Australia’s SBS radio reported yesterday that the club had informed Cahill and his agent that it would be looking to replace him — or loan him out — if a suitable replacement was found when Chinese transfer season opens on June 22.
The radio claimed that Shenhua was looking at an attacking midfielder from South Korea.
Shanghai Greenland Shenhua is currently 11th in the 16-team league. After enjoying a great start to the season, it eventually fizzled out, managing only 15 points. The former champion could only score twice in the last six games, with Cahill, its marque signing, struggling to make an impact.
Recent media reports have linked Shenhua with Senegal international Demba Ba. Turkish media claimed earlier that Shenhua had put in a 14-million euro offer to Turkish side Besiktas for the former Chelsea striker. Other names on Shenhua’s wish list include Nigerian international Emmanuel Emenike.
For now, Shenhua is insisting that no decision had been taken to offload Cahill. Earlier this week, club spokesperson Ma Yue denied that Shenhua was thinking of loaning out the Australian veteran to city rival Shanghai Shenxin.
Without revealing much, Shenhua’s French manager Francis Gillot said yesterday he did hold talks with the club management of the need to get reinforcements in the second half of the season.
Shenhua players have also been left out of the loop on the coming transfer season.
Zambian defender Stoppila Sunzu is back in Shanghai after the World Cup qualifying break. But he is carrying an injury after turning out for his national side and is likely to miss tonight’s match against Liaoning.
Sunzu told Oriental Sports Daily that he had not been told by club about his future in Shanghai either.
“I really don’t know whether I would be staying or leaving. Whatever happens, God will make the right decision for me,” he said. “What I need to think about is how to recover quickly from my injury and play for the team, hopefully in another week’s time.”
Cahill is however much liked by the team and the fans for his efforts on the pitch. He has not had much support from his teammates especially in the absence of injured Brazilian striker Paulo Henrique.
“There is no doubt about his ability, but he is getting little support from the rest of the team. It is a pity that Cahill’s style of play does not suit Shenhua,” a fan named Jiang Zhihao told Shanghai Daily yesterday.
Jiang said he would attend tonight’s match just in case it turns out to be Cahill’s last for Shenhua.
CSL returns this weekend after a two-week break. Shanghai SIPG thrashed Changchun Yatai 5-3 at Shanghai Stadium yesterday to join Shandong Luneng, Guangzhou Evergrande and Beijing Guo’an at the top with 26 points.
Midfielder Wu Lei scored the opener for the hosts in the 19th minute after his shot hit Changchun defender Anzar Ismailov and deflected into the net. SIPG’s Brazilian midfielder Davi tapped in the second goal in the 29th minute but Changchun’s Yan Feng grabbed one back for the visitors in the 35th.
In the second half, SIPG’s Argentine midfielder Dario Conca got on the scoresheet in the 51st minute, followed by more strikes from Davi and Lu Wenjun. Yan Feng grabbed his second for the visitors in the 75th. Changchun’s Nigerian striker Moussa Maazou scored in the closing stages.
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