Shanghai Port debutant Willian Popp rescued a point for his team in their 2024/25 AFC Champions League Elite opener on Wednesday, scoring with 17 minutes left to secure a 2-2 draw against Johor Darul Ta’zim.
Arif Aiman gave the Malaysian side the lead twice, only for Gustavo and Muangthong United loanee Popp to respond with equalizers, leaving both sides frustrated as they settled for a point each in the eastern league phase of the tournament.
Shanghai Port coach Kevin Muscat had to make a last-minute change to his lineup, replacing Zhang Linpeng with Jiang Guangtai after the veteran Chinese defender was injured during the warm-up. JDT, on the other hand, fielded a strong-looking lineup dominated by their foreign contingent, with Aiman and Spain-born veteran midfielder Natxo Insa being the only Malaysians in Hector Bidoglio’s starting eleven.
Early in the match, Matheus Vargas had a chance to put Shanghai ahead, charging through the middle before sending a powerful right-footed shot narrowly over the bar. Despite JDT’s attempts to frustrate the hosts, Oscar’s creativity saw him deliver a precise pass to Leo Cittadini, but the Brazilian’s shot went across the face of goal.
Shanghai goalkeeper Yan Junling made a crucial save in the 32nd minute, pushing away Juan Muniz’s swerving free-kick. However, just before halftime, JDT took the lead. Aiman picked up the ball 30 yards out, dribbled past three defenders, and fired a left-footed shot from 20 yards that sailed past Yan.
Shanghai responded quickly in the second half, leveling the score within three minutes. Oscar found Popp on the right side of the box, and although Popp’s shot was saved by JDT goalkeeper Andoni Zubiaurre, Gustavo was on hand to pounce on the rebound and equalize.
In the 56th minute, Arif restored JDT’s lead. He latched onto a long pass from Jorge Obregon, beating Wei Zhen before calmly finishing past Yan for his second goal.
However, Shanghai leveled again in the 73rd minute. Oscar’s low free-kick across the six-yard box caused confusion in the JDT defense, and as the ball looped into the air, Popp volleyed home the equalizer.
Jiang nearly secured a late winner for Shanghai deep into injury time, but Zubiaurre made a crucial save, turning the ball around the post to ensure the match ended in a draw.