In a thrilling match against newly promoted Dalian Yingbo, the defending champions Shanghai Harbour sealed a 3-0 victory, marking a crucial end to the first half of their season. The win not only boosted morale after their recent exit from the FA Cup but also showcased promising young talent. Nineteen-year-old Li Xinxiang scored and assisted, while Kuai Jiwen came off the bench to contribute an assist, showing a glimpse of hope in the team's transition phase.

Just three days prior, Harbour suffered a 3-2 defeat to Shanghai Shenhua in the FA Cup. However, they displayed solid adaptability in this game, with coach Muscat implementing a midfield-centric formation with Brazilian forward Gustavo as the lone striker.

The match saw early success for Harbour as Gustavo creatively found the net off Li Xinxiang's calm cross in the 18th minute. Just before halftime, a classic wing combination led to Gabriel assisting Li Xinxiang for a goal, extending their lead to 2-0. Notably, Li Xinxiang redeemed himself after a lackluster performance in the previous FA Cup match, showcasing resilience and determination.

Harbour's defense was also commendable as goalkeeper Yan Junling kept a clean sheet, ending their embarrassing streak of conceding goals in six consecutive home matches.

Post-match, veteran player Zhang Linpeng emphasized team unity and praised the potential of young talents like Li Xinxiang and Kuai Jiwen, highlighting the team's ongoing transition phase.

Coach Muscat expressed satisfaction with the team's performance and highlighted the importance of youthful energy in shaping the team's future. Despite facing challenges due to injuries and lineup changes, Harbour sits in fourth place with 31 points at the halfway mark, trailing Beijing Guoan and Shanghai Shenhua by four points. With a focus on improving defensive solidity, attention now turns to how Muscat will adjust the squad during the upcoming transfer window.