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Reuters

China’s big-spending Shanghai Shenhua, spearheaded by high-profile new signing Carlos Tevez, apologised to fans after being dumped out of Asia’s top club competition by Australian side Brisbane Roar on Wednesday.
Shanghai Shenhua, who are managed by Uruguayan Gus Poyet and who also have Nigeria striker Obafemi Martins on their books, were beaten 2-0 in chilly conditions in Shanghai in their AFC Champions League play-off.
“For the shame of today’s result, we offer a sincere apology to all those fans who braved the bitter cold to come to the stadium and support Shenhua,” the club said.
“The players all did their best, and we longed to win as much as you did, but sometimes soccer can just be this cruel.”

Shanghai Shenhua finished fourth in the Chinese Super League last season, 16 points behind champions Guangzhou Evergrande.
Amid of flurry of high-profile transfers by Chinese clubs, Shenhua bought Tevez from Boca Juniors in December and made the 33-year-old the sport’s highest paid player with a reported salary of US$753,000 per week.
You can’t buy success: Carlos Tevez’s Shanghai Shenhua debut ends with disastrous AFC Champions League exit
Tevez’s arrival in Shanghai came hot on the heels of Brazilian midfielder Oscar joining local rivals Shanghai SIPG from Chelsea in a deal believed to be worth €60 million (HK$496m).
Shenhua’s fans also vented their anger at the loss as first half goals from Brandon Borrello and Tommy Oar secured the win for the visitors.

“It would be better to spend this huge money on stellar coaches than huge annual salaries for these players,” said one fan in a post on Sina Weibo.
“The season hasn’t even started yet and we’re out of the Asian Champions League. The crowd is already losing hope.”
Watch: Shanghai Shenhua v Brisbane Roar highlights


Graziano Pelle, Ezequiel Lavezzi and Jackson Martinez are all recent arrivals in China, while Shanghai SIPG manager Andre Villas-Boas is also on a lucrative contract since replacing former England boss Sven Goran-Eriksson.
With the backing of soccer fan President Xi Jinping, China has been on a spending spree on players, clubs and overseas assets over the last two years, raising hopes that domestic clubs and the national team could benefit.

However, the influx of marquee players into China and huge transfer fees has divided opinion, as well as prompting Chinese soccer authorities to tighten rules and stop clubs “burning money” on foreign talent at the expense of homegrown players.
China’s national team coach stepped down in October last year after defeats to Uzbekistan and Syria left their bid to qualify for the 2018 World Cup in tatters.


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Chinese Super League

China’s Shanghai Shenhua apologise after failing to make AFC Champions League group stage

Shanghai Shenhua's Carlos Tevez during the AFC Champions League play-off against Brisbane Roar. Photo: Reuters

epa05778273 Carlos Tevez (R) of Shanghai Shenhua reacts as Luke De Vere (L) of Brisbane Roar FC walks to his teammate Matt McKay during an AFC Champions League match against Brisbane Roar FC in Shanghai, China, 08 February 2017. EPA/YI XIN CHINA OUT

Shanghai Shenhua's Carlos Tevez reacts to a referee during the AFC Champions League 2017 play-off match between Shanghai Shenhua and Brisbane Roar in Shanghai, China, February 8, 2017. Picture taken February 8, 2017. REUTERS/Stringer ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS IMAGE WAS PROVIDED BY A THIRD PARTY. EDITORIAL USE ONLY. CHINA OUT. NO COMMERCIAL OR EDITORIAL SALES IN CHINA.

epa05778266 Carlos Tevez (L) of Shanghai Shenhua vies for the ball with Daniel Bowles of Brisbane Roar FC during an an AFC Champions League match in Shanghai, China, 08 February 2017. EPA/YI XIN CHINA OUT

Carlos Tevez close to agreeing Shanghai Shenhua switch according to China reports – but ‘€80m’ figure played down

Boca Juniors' forward Carlos Tevez kisses the badge after scoring against city rivals River Plate at the weekend. Photo: AFP

TOPSHOT - Paris Saint-Germain's Uruguayan forward Edinson Cavani celebrates after scoring a goal during the French L1 football match between Paris Saint-Germain and Nice at the Parc des Princes stadium in Paris on Deecmber 11, 2016. / AFP PHOTO / FRANCK FIFE

Boca Juniors' forward Carlos Tevez smiles as he is congratulated and the end of the Argentine soccer derby against River Plate, in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Sunday, Dec. 11, 2016. Boca defeated River 4-2. (AP Photo/Victor R. Caivano)

Carlos Tevez insists reports he will earn US$800,000 a week in China are untrue as he is unveiled by Shanghai

Argentine striker Carlos Tevez smiles during a press conference in Shanghai on January 21, 2017. Photo: AFP

Argentine striker Carlos Tevez (L) poses with a jersey of his new club Shanghai Shenhua during a press conference in Shanghai on January 21, 2017. Tevez held his first press conference for his new club Shanghai Shenhua, which reportedly has made him the world's highest-paid football player. / AFP PHOTO / STR / China OUT

Argentine striker Carlos Tevez takes part in his first training session with his new club Shanghai Shenhua in Shanghai on January 21, 2017. / AFP PHOTO / STR / China OUT

Argentine striker Carlos Tevez (R) takes part in his first training session with his new club Shanghai Shenhua in Shanghai on January 21, 2017. / AFP PHOTO / STR / China OUT

Argentine striker Carlos Tevez (L) shakes hands with his new teammates as he takes part in his first training session with his new club Shanghai Shenhua in Shanghai on January 21, 2017. / AFP PHOTO / STR / China OUT

Carlos Tevez set to leave Boca Juniors in big-money move to China’s Shanghai Shenhua

Carlos Tevez and his wife Vanesa Mansilla exit the church after their wedding in Buenos Aires. Photo: AP

Boca Juniors' forward Carlos Tevez (R) vies for the ball with River Plate's midfielder Leonardo Ponzio during their Argentine first division football match at the Monumental stadium in Buenos Aires, Argentina, on December 11, 2016. / AFP PHOTO / JUAN MABROMATA

TOPSHOT - Boca Juniors' forward Carlos Tevez celebrates after scoring the team's second goal against River Plate during their Argentina First Division football match at El Monumental stadium, in Buenos Aires, on December 11, 2016. / AFP PHOTO / ALEJANDRO PAGNI

Carlos Tevez to rake in mountain of cash in China as Shanghai Shenhua confirm signing

Carlos Tevez with his son Lito Jnr. Photo: AP

Boca Juniors' forward Carlos Tevez (R) prepares to kicks next Colon's defender Raul Iberbia during their Argentina First Division football match at La Bombonera stadium, in Buenos Aires, on December 18, 2016. / AFP PHOTO / ALEJANDRO PAGNI

Football Soccer - Argentine First Division - River Plate v Boca Juniors - Antonio Liberti Stadium, Buenos Aires, Argentina - 11/12/2016 - Boca Juniors' Carlos Tevez celebrates after he scored his team's second goal. REUTERS/Marcos Brindicci

Money man Carlos Tevez touches down in Shanghai as he begins his Chinese Super League career

Argentine striker Carlos Tevez makes his way through the arrivals halls at Shanghai Pudong International Airport. Photo: AFP

Argentine striker Carlos Tevez makes his way through the arrivals halls at Shanghai Pudong International Airport in Shanghai on January 19, 2017. Tevez arrived to a rousing welcome from hundreds of fans in Shanghai, where he will join local side Shenhua in a deal that reportedly makes him the world's top-earning footballer. / AFP PHOTO / STR / China OUT

Chinese fans welcome Argentine striker Carlos Tevez as he arrives at Shanghai Pudong International Airport in Shanghai on January 19, 2017. Tevez arrived to a rousing welcome from hundreds of fans in Shanghai, where he will join local side Shenhua in a deal that reportedly makes him the world's top-earning footballer. / AFP PHOTO / STR / China OUT

Chinese fans wait for Argentine striker Carlos Tevez's arrival at Shanghai Pudong International Airport in Shanghai on January 19, 2017. Tevez arrived to a rousing welcome from hundreds of fans in Shanghai, where he will join local side Shenhua in a deal that reportedly makes him the world's top-earning footballer. / AFP PHOTO / STR / China OUT

Sport

Football

China

Chinese Super League side lose 2-0 at home to Australia’s Brisbane Roar as Argentinian fails to make an impact on his debut


AFC Champions League 2016