Article

Drogba closing in on Shenhua debut

22 July 2012 07:37

Shanghai Shenhua striker Didier Drogba could make his debut in Sunday's Chinese Super League clash with Guangzhou R&F but only off the bench.

The 34-year-old Ivorian striker arrived in China eight days ago to a huge welcome but is yet to make his debut for the club, missing their mid-week Chinese FA Cup clash with Changchun Yatai as he builds his fitness.

Shanghai Shenhua coach Sergio Batista said Drogba could be handed his debut despite not being 100 percent fit.

"He is a player who could score many goals. We really expect some great performances in the future," Batista said after the mid-week clash with Changchun.

"But the truth is now he has not touched a ball in a few days. However on Sunday, we might let him play for about 30 minutes.

"He needs to reach 100 percent fitness step by step."

Referring to the cup clash with Changchun Yatai, Batista said: "Didier Drogba still had some difficulty with his physical condition.

"We discussed this before the match. I asked Didier if he was ready for the game and he told me his condition was not good."

Info

Guangzhou R&F

W L W L L

1 - 1

Shanghai Shenhua

D L D W D

Competition

Half-time: 1 - 0
Full-time: 1 - 1

Venue: Yuexiushan Stadium (Guangzhou (Canton))
Attendance: 11235

Goals

Moisés Moura (OG) 22'	1 - 0
	1 - 1	68' Cao Yunding

Lineups

#	Player	Bookings
1	Yuelei Cheng
26	Zhao Ming
4	Li Wenbo	49'
20	Tang Miao
3	Liu Cheng
17	Li Zhe
33	Li Yan
35	R. Griffiths	40'
10	Davi
25	Y. Aiyegbeni
11	Rafael Coelho
Coach: Sérgio Farias

#	Player	Bookings
1	Wang Dalei
5	Dai Lin
3	Moisés Moura	22'
12	Bo Jiajun
37	G. Moreno	49'
10	Jiang Kun
6	Yu Tao
20	Wu Xi
8	Song Boxuan
7	Feng Renliang
39	N. Anelka
Coach: S. Batista

Substitutes

#	Player	Bookings
18	Zhang Yuan for Rafael Coelho 70'
23	Lu Lin for Davi 77'
13	Wu Wei'an for R. Griffiths 88'
2	Sui Donglu
21	Gao Zengxiang
29	Zhang Shuo
32	Wang Lüe

#	Player	Bookings
23	Qiu Tianyi for Jiang Kun 46'
11	D. Drogba for Moisés Moura 46'
28	Cao Yunding for Song Boxuan 65'	68'
4	Wang Lin
22	Qiu Shengjiong
29	J. Griffiths
36	Wang Shouting

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10:27	Lampard: It was tough under Benitez
10:11	Mourinho branded a ´failure´
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05:07	Kewell unhappy with Australia omission
04:58	Messi: Neymar would be a wonderful addition
01:22	Doll: Dortmund are not underdogs

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22:27	Pulis leaves Stoke
21:08	Sanogo relishing Arsenal move
21:05	Galtier signs extension at Saint-Etienne
20:32	Baines explains appearance record
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20:12	Swansea coach Tucker praises goalkeepers
19:25	West Ham sign Rat
19:10	McAuley eager to keep improving
18:43	Ribery keen to end career at Bayern
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18:13	Sheffield United make McCall move
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06:09	Pique, Barca playing for record haul
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02:28	Martinez coy on Wigan future
02:17	Fernandinho still seeking City switch
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00:13	Ferguson named LMA Manager of the Year

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20:15	Mourinho in quotes
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20:03	Rodwell called up by England
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18:39	Atletico Madrid ready to sell Falcao
18:35	Abbiati extends Milan deal
18:32	Terry misses Chelsea tour
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18:19	O´Brien proud of West Ham finish
17:34	Doncaster appoint Dickov as manager
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16:52	Hill blasts Hughes´ QPR signings
16:36	Lampard: I have not performed at World Cups
16:20	Kacaniklic targets first-team place
16:13	Jardim replaces Ferreira at Sporting Lisbon
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15:57	Mignolet not worried about speculation
15:42	Neville uncertain on future
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14:32	Harper hails ´incredible´ reception
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14:21	Lambert ´proud´ of top-flight return
14:21	Torres targets improvement
14:06	Fernandinho wants to join Manchester City
13:49	Galliani relieved with Champions League spot
13:33	Stramaccioni bemoans injury-hit season
13:19	Lewandowski focused on Wembley
12:57	Reading owner confirms Pogrebnyak clause
12:51	Owen thanks Stoke for ´great experience´
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12:18	Raheem Sterling case dismissed
12:14	Schuerrle expects Leverkusen exit
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11:24	Williams dismisses Arsenal links
10:52	Scolari: Neymar will be a Barcelona idol
10:45	David Luiz praises ´amazing´ Benitez
10:22	Walcott wants title tilt next term
10:12	Carragher´s final Liverpool appearance full of emotion
10:05	Carrick: United must move on from Ferguson
09:56	Villas-Boas confident Bale with stay at Tottenham
09:13	AFC Champions League Preview: Guangzhou eye last eight
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07:58	Liga MX Wrap: America, Cruz Azul reach final
07:53	MLS Wrap: Johnson does Dallas, Salt Lake sink Chivas
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06:20	Colombia Primera A Wrap: Tolima strike late to go top
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04:13	Vilanova staying, says Roura
04:05	Merrick joins Phoenix as coach
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