China’s high-spending Shanghai Shenhua have issued an apology to fans for their ignominious elimination from the AFC Champions League this season.
Spearheaded by high-profile new signing Carlos Tevez, the Chinese Super League giants were beaten 2-0 at home by Australian side Brisbane Roar on Wednesday.
The Argentinian star completed his lucrative move to Shanghai in December, reportedly becoming the highest paid player in the world and therefore the negative result sparked widespread criticism across China.
“We want to apologise to our fans who braved the freezing cold to support us because it was a shame what happened on the pitch,” the club said in a statement on Weibo.
“Every player have strived for the very best and we shared the same desire to win,
“However, football is cruel. When you keep wasting goal-scoring chances, the prospect of a victory is fast receding. We are gutted and regret the lost opportunities but the team will not give up.
“The spirit of Shenhua will not die away because of one game. The team will spare no effort for the new season of CSL and start all over again.”